Interview with ALAN BRAZIL by Karen Fleming

 

Can you give us a career history?
I started off at Hutcheson Vale, and by the time I was 14 I was playing for Hearts. Aston Villa then signed me on a four year contract, but I only did three years and came up to Arbroath.  I was at Gayfield for four seasons and now I'm at Stenhousemuir.

What was it like going down to Birmingham as a 16 year old?
It was really hard.  I would say it took me almost a year to settle in.  I found it really difficult being away from my family and friends.  I also ended up having a few injury problems while I was there, which meant I wasn't training and playing with the rest of the boys.  There was supposed to be another Scottish guy going down with me on the same flight, but on the day, he had second thoughts and decided he didn't want to go.  We were supposed to be living in the same house, and I think it might have been easier if he had been there too.   The family I was living with were great and they really tried to do everything they could for me, but it's just not the same as home. At the end of the third season, I had an idea I wouldn't make it down there and asked to be released to try to find a club in Scotland.

How did the move from Aston Villa to Arbroath come about?
At that time I had an agent, who was trying to get me a club.   Stevie Kirk was the manager at Arbroath at the time and he said he'd like to get me up as a trialist. 

You moved from Arbroath, who had been promoted, to Stenhousemuir in the third division.  Some fans may have questioned your ambition at the move?
It wasn't a question of my ambition, I just felt like I needed a move.  I had started a new job, which involves shifts and getting up at 4a.m.  That was taking a bit of getting used to without the added pressures of the travelling.  If we were training in Arbroath or Dundee I wouldn't get home until quite late.  I find it difficult to switch off after games or training and it would take me until after 1.30am to get to sleep, only for the alarm to go off two and a half hours later.  There was a bit of interest from other clubs, so along with the job and the feeling that it might be time to move I spoke to Stenhousemuir.  I was really happy with what the manager had to say and felt the move was right for me.  On top of that the journey takes me 25 minutes from door to door!

Stenny are sitting at the top of the table just now so there must be a good feel about the place?
Yes, we're doing really well, I'm not playing!  We have a big squad, with strength in numbers.  We all know that if we are out for any reason, there is someone ready and able to take our jersey and make it their own.  There is good competition for a place in the team.

Are you injured just now?
Yes, I damaged ankle ligaments in pre-season, made a come back and then got hurt again.  However, I'm back in training now and am hoping that if all goes according to plan this week in training, then I should be available for selection on Saturday.

What's it like playing on a plastic pitch every week?
I thought it would suit my style of play but it's actually very difficult to get used to playing on the artificial pitch week in and week out.  The way the ball runs on it is different and it affects your first touch as well.  We train on the pitch too.

Is there anything you'd like to say that I haven't asked?
I'm really sorry that I never got the chance to say goodbye to the supporters at Arbroath.  They had been really good to me for four years and I think I had a good relationship with the fans, but I'd just like to thank them for everything.  I'd also like to thank Robbie, John and the coaching staff for everything they did for me too.  I'd like to ask the fans to really get behind the team just now.  I know it's hard at the moment, but I think Arbroath deserve to be in that second division and they have the players to keep them there, just don't let Barry ever take another penalty unless I've given him some coaching first!

Karen Fleming