 ADAM
HAMMILL: THE BIG INTERVIEW
Rising star Adam Hammill previews tonight's Youth Cup semi-final second leg at
Southampton and tells us how he's finding life at Liverpool since moving full-time to
Melwood last month.
Adam, you take a 2-1 lead into tonight's second leg of the Youth Cup
semi-final at St Mary's - how confident are you that you can finish the job off?
I think we're all confident. Our mentality will be to go there tonight and win the
game. We don't want to sit back and hope for a draw, even though we know that will take us
through. Steve Heighway has put his trust in us to go out there and do the business for
the club and that's what we're aiming for. He's told us we've got to go out there and
perform for 90 minutes. Hopefully we can do him, the club and ourselves proud.
How did you assess the first leg at Anfield last Friday night?
I thought we performed well in the first half and were unlucky not to have scored
more goals by the break. The two we did score early on put us in a good position, but in
the second half Southampton came back into the game and made it difficult for us. When
they scored they put us under a bit of pressure but we defended well and in the end I
think we deserved to win the game. They have two good forwards who we'll need to be aware
of tonight, but we're ready for the challenge.
Where does tonight's game stand in those you've played in for the club
previously?
It's the biggest game of my life and I'm sure the other lads will all say the same
thing. We've got a chance to reach a Cup final here and we can't let it slip by.
How determined are the lads to win the Youth Cup this season?
I'd love us to win this competition. It could be the highlight of many of the
players' careers because we don't know what is going to happen in the future. I'd do
anything to win it and get a medal. It's a stage for us all to show what we can do.
Hopefully we can go on and win it. We have a strong team with a lot of talented players
but the thing which has struck me this season is that our lads would die for each other on
the pitch. The team spirit is great.
And you've been helped by a number of reserve team players on your way, hopefully,
to the final...
The under-18 team, to be honest, may have struggled physically in this competition
but with the likes of Godwin Antwi, Jack Hobbs and Miki Roque we're not lacking strength.
They have all done well and it's helped us as a team a great deal.
On a personal level you've one particularly stunning memory from this season's
Youth Cup campaign - a goal from inside the centre circle against Carlisle...
To watch this incredible goal online now, click here>>
I was surprised to be so deep because I don't usually come that far back to win the
ball. When I got hold of it I saw the goalkeeper was off his line and just thought 'why
not'? As soon as I hit it I knew it had a chance. It's one of the best goals I've scored
this season. Last year I didn't get among the goals but this year I've improved. I want it
to become a bigger part of my game.
What do you mean 'one of the best goals this season'? Surely you haven't
scored any better than that...
I've scored a couple of other good ones this season for the under-18s against
Huddersfield and Stoke.
Talk us through them then...
Against Stoke I picked the ball up on the half-way line, did a turn which took me
past two players, then I did a step-over which took me past another player and then
managed to nut-meg someone else. I drove into the box and then found the bottom corner.
Against Huddersfield I got the ball on the half way line, turned and played a
one-two with a team-mate before beating two men and chipping the ball over the goalkeeper.
I've seen the Carlisle goal on the internet but I've never seen the other two goals
on tape. Hopefully I can get a copy of them one day because they'd be nice to have.
It sounds like in years to come you'll be bringing out a Greatest Goals
video...
[laughs] That'd be nice, hopefully in the Premiership.
So tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to be at Liverpool?
I've been at the club for about ten years now. I first came here when I was seven
and I've worked my way through the academy to where I am now at Melwood.
I was playing for Pavilion Tigers in Seaforth for an under-9 team even though I was
only six and a half when Hughie McAuley and a scout called Arthur Edwards were both
watching me and they invited me down to Melwood. I then got asked to go back when I was
seven so I could sign.
From the age of seven I trained at Melwood twice a week after school on Mondays and
Thursdays. Then when I was in the under-10 age group we trained in Wavertree three times a
week and from then on the work got more and more intense. I signed my scholarship when I
was 15, a year early.
When you signed your scholarship is that when you first thought you could
make it as a footballer?
Yes. In the very early days my family were pleased for me but at the time they
didn't know how far I'd go and I suppose they didn't imagine I'd get to the stage where I
am now.
When I signed my scholarship that was when I thought to myself that I could go all
the way and make it as a footballer. That's when it really hit home to me. My family have
always pushed me and always supported me. I've always had confidence in my ability. When I
was younger I was always playing with people who were a few years older than me so I have
always felt I had a chance.
You've always been football mad then?
Definitely. I always used to go into the back garden with my two brothers Lee and
Greg to kick a ball around. There were many days when, from first light in the morning
till it went dark at night I'd be out in the back playing football. I've wanted to be a
footballer for as long as I can remember. I used to go to the Liverpool games with my dad
when I was about five years of age. My first game was against Ipswich and we lost 1-0.
I'll always remember it. I was standing in the Kop.
So you are a big Liverpool fan?
I used to go to all the games and I haven't missed a home match since signing my
scholarship - apart from when I've had a game to play myself of course. I'm a big football
fan full stop. I'll watch any game on the TV.
 So you won't be missing a kick of the World Cup
this summer then?
I can't wait for the World Cup and I'll definitely be watching every game. I
remember in the last World Cup getting up really early to watch games like Japan v Iraq.
Who's going to win it?
I'd like to think England will win it and I do think we have a chance. We've never
had a stronger team than this one. With Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham and Joe Cole in midfield
we've got the players to scare the best of teams. Hopefully Rooney can have a big
tournament. He takes my breath away. He's a young player but is built like an ox and he's
one step ahead of everyone else on the field.17 March 2006 |
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Was it tough to go from training just a few times a week to
every day when you went to the Academy?
It got more intense. Physically it was very demanding. I've always been a fit lad
so I coped okay. I like to run a lot and I love going to the gym so I didn't have any
problems even though it was more challenging.
At the Academy we trained every day and then every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
morning we had to go to college. I'm so relieved I don't have to do that anymore. Tuesday
and Thursdays were full days in training.
You weren't the best college pupil then?
I did an NVQ in Sports and Recreation. It wasn't a tough course but my problem was
I always wanted to play football and college wasn't a top priority for me. I did get into
trouble a few times because my attitude wasn't as it should have been. I wanted to play
football every second of every day and just let my college work sort itself out.
The coaching staff at the Academy have been brilliant to me. I think they always
had faith that I could make it and so they were pushing me all the time. Steve Heighway
was always on my case. I could have been a lazy player but he wouldn't let that happen and
was always encouraging me to produce my best.
What's your preferred position on the pitch?
I've played left midfield this season. I hadn't played there before but at the
start of the season I started there and that's where I've have stayed. I don't mind where
I play so long as I'm wearing the red shirt.
I've also played right midfield and centre forward. I think my best position is in
the hole just behind the main striker, but wherever the manager asks me to play I'll do a
job for him.
Are you more of a creator than a scorer of goals?
The staff know I'm a strong dribbler so Hughie usually says to me that in the first
two thirds of the field I have to make sure I keep the ball and earn the trust of my
team-mates that they know what I'm going to do. In the final third it's down to me. If I
have a one on one situation then I'm encouraged to get at my man but if there's a two
against me then it means I've created space for someone else and then I should pass the
ball to them. I have more freedom in the final third of the pitch to show my creativity
and take people on.
Sometimes stepovers or other tricks don't come off but it just makes me more
determined to make it work next time. I'll never hide. If I do something that doesn't work
then I'll look for the ball again straightaway and try it again.
So you have a box of tricks?
[laughs] I have quite a few.
Presumably then your football heroes were skilful and tricky players?
Pele and Maradona were awesome players. I've seen tapes of them and they took my
breath away. I used to watch them and say to myself that I'd love to be able to play like
that one day. My strongest asset is dribbling and so I've alwaysliked players with flair
and skill. Ronaldinho is a hero of mine as well. If I get anywhere near his level then
I'll be a decent player.
I also loved watching John Barnes. He was a great player. I liked his flair, his
technical ability and he was always one step ahead in his mind, he knew what he was going
to do and it was as if no-one could ever get near him. Every time he had the ball
something happened. He could drop his shoulder, beat his man and then create a goal or
score a wonder goal himself.
You've been at Melwood for a month now, how are you finding it?
I'm over the moon to be here now. I want to train hard every day and impress the
first team staff. I train with the reserves but sometimes we get first team players who
are coming back from injury training with us. When that happens you hope you can make an
impression on them and the staff.
What's your daily schedule at Melwood?
I come in at 9am because I'm on a special schedule to do a fat burning course. When
I came here my body weight was too high. I spend half an hour on the bike then go and have
some breakfast and then go and train at 10.30. In the afternoon I might go back to the
gym.
Was your first day nerve-wracking?
Not really. I just wanted to get my kit on, get outside and train and show the
staff what I could do. Training here is another step up. It's more demanding, there's more
running involved and more work on the weights. I've only been here a few weeks but I
already feel my performances are a lot better and more mature. I'm doing that bit extra
going forward as well, I've been creating goals and scoring goals.
Were you a bit star-struck on your first day surrounded by the club's top
players?
At first I remember sitting opposite Jamie Carragher on a table and I did find it
strange. I wondered if I was lost or if I'd gone into the wrong room. I'm not star struck
now though because it's my job and they're just colleagues.
I've spoken with Steven Gerrard a few times. He knows Dave Shannon who coached me
at the academy and he asked Stevie to make sure he looks after me.
So Stevie's your minder?
[laughs] Something like that, yes. What I like about the players here is they'll give you
the time of day and say hello if you see them. There's no arrogance, they're all really
nice lads.
And one day you might be in the same team as them…
That's a nice dream to have.
Have you had any contact with Rafa yet?
Rafa always says hello and seems a really nice man. At half time in reserve games
he sometimes comes into the dressing rooms and explains what we need to do tactically.
That's a big help.
What about when training is over - how do you spend your spare time?
I'm usually exhausted after training to be honest. Sometimes I'll go over to the
MegaBowl and have a game of pool with my mates. I like relaxing and chilling out with my
mates.
How do they feel about the fact you're progressing so well at one of the
world's biggest clubs?
They're all really pleased for me. My best mate is a big Everton fan so we tend to
have a few footballing arguments.
The standards required at Liverpool are so high - what makes you think
you'll make it here?
If I didn't think I could make it then I wouldn't be here. I've always had
confidence in my abilityand if I can get the little things right and work hard then I have
a chance. Football can sometimes be about luck. Sometimes you can get a chance because
someone else has picked up an injury. If that happens then you have to take it with both
hands.
Did you go to Istanbul last season?
I couldn't go because we had an under-18 game a few days later.
What a nightmare.
Tell me about it. It was the worst game to miss out on.
So where did you watch it?
I watched it in the pub with my dad. At half time my head was in my hands and there
was no conversation, it was total silence. I can remember my uncle, who is an Everton fan,
shouting out that we should turn over and watch Coronation Street instead. He was really
revelling in it.
Then when Gerrard scored the header I was dancing on the pool table. It was
brilliant. I couldn't watch the penalties, they was so nerve-wracking. It was simply
amazing when we won.
The greatest night of your life?
Without a doubt. Hopefully tonight we'll be celebrating as well.
Good luck.
Thanks.
By Paul Eaton, 17.03.2006
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