Remembering my international heyday
Hi, hope you are all well.
The present spate of internationals has rekindled memories of my own brief stint on the national team stage.
My international honours came in the form of eight under-21 caps for Scotland. Some might say they are not proper caps but they certainly feel proper to me and I regard them as among my greatest achievements. So much so that I have had one of my Scotland shirts framed and it takes pride of place in my house.
My initial call up to the under-21 side came in the midst of a purple patch in my career at Coventry, after I had made the breakthrough into the first team there.
The call-up was made even sweeter for me because I had attended the Scotland under-17 trials a couple of years earlier but failed to make the squad - quite rightly so because at that stage, I was simply not good enough.
The fact that I was more successful at under-21 level is further evidence of the need to keep working at your game in order to achieve your goals. In an ideal world, it would have been great for me to have made the progression to full international level, even if just for one minute of one match, but it was not to be.
Nobody should underestimate the differences between British club and international football. From a midfielder's perspective, you get a lot more time on the ball in international football but trying to pick out a pass is much more difficult as the opposition, even the strikers, drop behind the ball far more quickly than they do in our domestic game. In addition, the pace of the game is much slower and as a result it can be quite hard to build momentum.
In my opinion (for what it is worth!) two of the main ingredients for any successful international team is the ability to retain possession of the ball and remain patient. Many would argue that these attributes are not in abundance in our domestic leagues, which is why British players possibly have to make a bigger adjustment when they are in their national teams than those from other countries.
I think it also worth mentioning that in a lot of games I have watched and taken part in, especially in the lower leagues there can be a lack of patience on the behalf of some supporters. We all like the theory of having a passing team who like to knock it around but in practice supporters can get very frustrated if the ball does not go forward at the earliest opportunity.
As for my own international career, I am more than happy to have got as far as I did.
While standards tend to differ from country to country, the gap between international under-21 and senior levels can be huge and, indeed, there are plenty of players who have failed to bridge it. Much in the same way that some top schoolboy players who seem destined for greatness struggle to make it in the world of full-time football.
You can look upon some under-21 players as certainties to make a successful transition to full international football. While this was the case with my Scotland under-21 team mates such as Barry Ferguson, Russell Anderson, Gary Naysmith, Scott Severin and Lee McCulloch, there were many others - including myself - who were realistically no more than outsiders to do so. Indeed, a large number of the players in the squads I was involved with ended up leaving professional football within a few years for various reasons. A good friend of mine Andy Jordan (formerly of Cardiff and Hartlepool United) and Alex Notman (Manchester United), being prime examples of this.
My first appearance for the Scotland under-21 side was a home game at Stirling Albion against Denmark back in 1998. Believe it or not, one of the things that bothered me before the kick-off was what to do during the national anthem arguably the biggest dilemma for any new international player!. Do you sing the national anthem or not? Do you go for the serious focused look or do you wink at the camera as it goes along the line?. The obvious answer is yes, you belt it out - but what if you get the words wrong?! That has to be worse than not singing at all!
In my own case, I opted for safety. I sang the anthem but at a level where any mistakes would not be noticed! In all seriousness that feeling when the anthems are being sung is incredible and I feel very honoured to have experienced it.
Because of the time that has elapsed, most of my memories regarding my time in the under-21s are fairly hazy. However there are one or two instances which I remember all too vividly.
One of the away fixtures we had to fulfil was away against Bosnia. I was only 19 then, and have to admit I was fairly uneducated as to what had been going on in and around that part of the world at that time. It was quite an eye opener to see the buildings in Sarajevo riddled with bullet holes, and being escorted by the police everywhere so we did not stray on to routes which were known to have land mines.
These sort of experiences certainly give you a different perspective on football and life in general.
For obvious reasons, it is quite rare to come across an international player at League One and Two levels, but there are some with this distinction. Off the top of my head, there is Scunthorpe's Grant McCann, who is a regular for Northern Ireland.
There is also my former Peterborough United team-mate Craig Morgan who has been in the Wales set-up. McCann is one player on the lower league circuit I have never played against but I know Morgan very well from my days at Peterborough. In terms of technical ability he is one of the best defenders I have played with and has been one of the most valuable players in the recent successes of Peterborough United.
Who are the lower league internationals - past and present - who have stood out to you?
Away from football, the highlight of my week has been passing my 60 words per minute shorthand exam which is one of the modules that needs to be completed for my journalism degree. Rather than take all the credit myself.- which is highly tempting - I have to say a big thanks to our teacher Sue Gamberton who has worked miracles not just with me but the other lads who have passed this test as well.
Many was the session over the past year that we sat there moaning (as footballers do!) that learning shorthand was impossible but she kept encouraging us and we got there in the end.
Anyway that's enough sucking up to the teacher for one week!.
Hello, I'm Gavin Strachan. I describe myself as a "journeyman" player after 13 years in the game as a professional. I'm currently between clubs, having been released by Notts County. I'm also studying journalism and the aim of my blog is to provide an insight into the life of a footballer.
Here are some 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~27~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
Every thursday arvo (in nz)I like to read your blog blue, always interesting and worth waiting for. Well done on the exam, hope you're still playing, and blogging for the beeb next season?...
Complain about this comment
Good blog Gav. On the point of some unlucky U21/23 internationals who fail to break into the senior team. I think the main reason is the reluctance by some of the most senior players to resign from active football. I believe there is need for these old footballers to resign and give a chance to the upcoming juniors. If the likes of Zidane, Scholes, Shearer and others had not resigned, we could not have seen the potential of Diaby, Gerald, Rooney and others. I will be happy to hear your coment on my obsertation.
Complain about this comment
Nice blog Gav.
"In my opinion (for what it is worth!) two of the main ingredients for any successful international team is the ability to retain possession of the ball and remain patient."
that is a very good statement Gav as i believe that sums up the Spanish national team perfectly and they are the best in the world at the minute in my opinion.
Well Gav i think we could mention almost half of the Northern Ireland team in trying to list football league players who have shone at times for their country and Republic players too. Warren Feeney at the minute is one for Northern Ireland although he may be on loan to the Scottish league he is someone who has been in the duldrums of the football league and was playing for Swansea in League One not too long ago. The Reading lads for Ireland Doyle and Stephen Hunt are both Championship players but in my opinion are very much able to cut it at international level.
For me a player when he plays for his country even if he isnt the most technically gifted footballer plays at 150% of his ability and can look like a completely different player to that of which he plays for his club because of the pride and passion it brings them to play for their nation. Well i just feel that if your an irishman standing there and Amhrán na bhFiann suddenly begins and everyone starts blasting it out how can you not feel motivated to play like the best player in the world!
YNWA!
Complain about this comment
You mention the big step-up form league (and U-21) to the full international game, do you think re-instating the B internationals would help bridge this gap and provide a good stepping stone for those players that seemed fantastic at league level but never produced for the full international team?
Complain about this comment
Gavin,
Representing your country at any level is a great achievement. You can be justifiably proud of those caps. I know two guys who played at international schoolboy level, they used to show the England-Scotland games live on TV! Both moved on to senior Scottish clubs but neither made it beyond a couple of appearances. It could be sour grapes but both said they were "taught" to be cynical, it was "forget how you play, just win."
Just maybe the influx of the classier foreign players may educate fans to enjoy a good passing game and they will become less impatient? Maybe not.
Complain about this comment
Hi Gavin,
Another excellent blog.
Reminds me of the successful Scotland youngsters that were finally beaten in the finals (Saudi Arabia I think). That team contained a few household names inc. Dickov and Bernard (I think), some of them never made it, and I always wondered how.
One player from a lower league has to be Steve Bull, the guy was a great player and an excellent ambassador for Wolves.
BTW, well done on the shorthand, something I'm not good at myself - I'm awful with a 30wpm scrawl. Still doesn't stop me interviewing players and managers though :)
Look forward to next weeks. All the best,
MOP13
http://manonplatform13.blogspot.com/
Complain about this comment
Hi Gavin, great blog as always.
I know that Chris Birchall is at Coventry now but back when he was at Port Vale (when they were in League 1) he was playing Internationally for Trinidad and Tobago.
I know they aren't the best team but I watched him when he played against England in the 2006 World Cup qualifying groups (and apart from the times when he was stifled by England's midfield) he showed some flashes of being a decent Midfielder.
Were you ever told you had the chance to get into the Scotland First Team? Or was it always play the next game and see how it goes?
Complain about this comment
Warren Feeney also played for Northern Ireland whilst at Bournemouth, as did Carl Fletcher for Wales, and Sam Vokes I think (Wales)
Complain about this comment
Grant McCann is indeed a regular.
Id like to take this oppertunity to remind everyone that Northern Ireland beat England 1-0 (David Healy scored) at Windsor Park with a full strength English team.
:-)
Complain about this comment
Well done on the shorthand. I borrowed one of my mum's old pitman books once, for kicks, and gave up after a short while. It has to be like learning a new language.
Complain about this comment
Gavin,
Another good blog and in my opinion (and im sure plenty of others) it is by far the most readable, and most insightful on this website. As a Lincoln City fan, we've had a few internationals come through our ranks over the years ive been watching them. Dean Walling represented St Kitts and Nevis i believe, along with at least one other player, Kevin Austin maybe? Jeff Hughes, who is now at Bristol Rovers played for Northern Ireland, and i think Peter Gain may well have represented them at some level as well. I could be wrong though, but either way, he was a great player to watch during his days at City. If i remember correctly there was another centre back, who moved on to Leicester at some point who played for N.Ireland as well. Ive got Jamie McCoombe in my head, but again, im not 100% on that.
On another topic, i travelled through Bosnia last year and spent 6 days in Sarajevo and thought it was an amazing city to be in. The bullet holes in the walls of almost every building serve as a sharp reminder of the troubles that have scarred a beautiful country. Although my experience as a grubby traveller is undoubtably different to that of a young footballer there for a game!
Keep it up Gavin.
Complain about this comment
I dont think Mark Hateley ever played in the top flight of English football, although he did in Scotland with Rangers and abroad with AC Milan & Monaco, but i believe he gained England caps whilst playing in the old second division for Portsmouth?
There are of course many current foreign internationals plying their trade in the lower divisions and even in Non League football.
Complain about this comment
BoshOrange - It was Gareth McAuley you are thinking of. Played for Northern Ireland and was with Leicester but now with Ipswich.
Gavin - Great blog, always the first one I look for!
Complain about this comment
Hi Gav, greetings from Costa Rica.
Why do you think players might find it hard to make the transition from U-20 / U-21 squads to full senior internationals?
Nevertheless, U-17 and U-20 World Cups have been proven successful in terms of fine footballers development. Many stars have played (and won) in these World Cups.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
post 7. you always hoped that a good performance for the u21 side would pave the way for a call up to the full side. In truth you have to string together a run of exceptional performances to make the step.
Complain about this comment
post 4 . Scotland used to stage "B" internationals . While they can be useful, I think that with the football calendar as crammed as it already is, the powers that be and the managers would not be too keen.
Complain about this comment
I don't suppose it matters what sport or what level - to represent your nation must be fantastic.
Congratulations on the caps and the continuing success of the blog.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Nice one on the shorthand, Gavin.
Remember I started dreaming in shorthand when I was going for my 100wpm. Sad, eh?
Anyway, if I can get it, sure you can.
Regards
Jim
Complain about this comment
Hi Gavin 1st time on here,love your topics.
To sing or not to sing.I would belt it out myself,but close up in the face of a camera.Not sure. Maybe you could time it right and just learn the bit when the camera is on you!I love the anthems for the crowd but find it a little cruel to focus so close on individual players.Politics and religion are big factors in this ceremony,and as we know they are private matters.Take the camera away I say and leave the players to sing or not in there own privacy
Complain about this comment
Congrats on passing your journalism exam. Im currently working on my dissertation for my Psychology degree and Ive never felt more stressed so you should take a minute out to pat yourself on the back.
My cousin Gareth Taylor has a handful of caps for Wales. Admittingly they were a few years ago. At the moment he is playing for Doncaster but he has had stints at Nottingham Forest, Burnley, Sheffield United, Crewe, Man City, Bristol Rovers and Crystal Palace (not in that order, and Im pretty sure Im missing one out, might be Southampton but I cant for the life of me remember). Have you ever played against him Gav?
Complain about this comment
Congratulations on passing your Exam Gav.
Short hand IS ridiculous by the way, which I guess makes your achievement all the more sweeter!
Back on topic though, I think U21 is weird because sometimes it can mean nothing in terms of potential.
I don't recall Rooney, Owen, Beckham or Gerrard playing that many U21 games, yet Jamie Carragher once held the record for appearances in an England under 21 shirt (he may even still hold a record or two, i'm not so sure). Sometimes I think some players peak later on in their career which seems to be the best way to be. You just peaked too early Sir ; )
Infact, come to think of it... I don't really recall that many players who have made a successful transition from the under 21's to the full squad.
Hate to go all psychological on you Gav but why do you think you never made that step up? Just not good enough or did you not fully understand the position you were in at the time (e.g. Did you see it as the next automatic step and not realise you still had to work for it?).
Complain about this comment
Great point about Schoolboys Gavin - there have been several examples of players 'destined' for big things, only to disappear. A recent example would be Andy Bagshaw, the Scottish Schoolboy who ran rings around Micah Richards in the Victory Shield, was voted player of the tournament and finished joint top scorer as well if I recall correctly.
Where are those two players now? Richards - England International, playing regularly at the richest club in the world. Bagshaw - struggling to get a game and part-time at 2nd Division Peterhead...
Strange how things turn out.
Complain about this comment
Rather dull blog again Gavin.
Complain about this comment
Before most of us were born, but in the 1950s Reg Mathews was the goalkeeper for Coventry then in the third division (the League 1 of today), and he got two or three caps for England. He then moved to top flight Chelsea and never got another cap!
(PS Comment 12 - Hatley did play in the top flight, he came through the ranks at Coventry)
Complain about this comment
> Who are the lower league internationals - past and present - who have stood out to you?
You didn't mention your team mate and current skipper John Thompson who was progressing well at Forest and on the International scene until injuries knocked him back. Good to see him playing regularly again
Complain about this comment
I know that Chris Birchall is at Coventry now but back when he was at Port Vale (when they were in League 1) he was playing Internationally for Trinidad and Tobago.
Birchall is now at Brighton so he is actually back down in league 1, maybe league 2 next season, the rate that we are going at the moment !
Complain about this comment
Hi Gavin, well done in passing your exam. Hope you and the family are well.
Representing your country at any level is a fantastic achiement and one to be very proud of.
Although I am a proud Scot and cheered on my country over the past week, from the pub I must add, there wasn't the same buzz or excitement as when I watch the Celtic and I cringe when I see one of Celtic players going in for a tackle or worse still lying on the ground after a challenge.
So enough of this international stuff and let's get on with the real action..onwards to 4inarow.
Complain about this comment
Great blog Gav !
Its great to hear from professionals from the lower leagues, as a supporter of lower football myself its makes a nice change to hear from a football realist as opposed to the fairytail lives of those in the premiership !
As far as under 21s I think that they fair good for future talent, but the future progression of these players is unpredictable as some peak too early where as others peak later in there careers. Its a real shame though that some under21 potential to move on to full international honours so many fall by the wayside.
Good work Gav, keep it up, well done on passing test !
Cheers.
Complain about this comment
Good blog Gav, I always enjoy reading it. As a Bristol Rovers fan I would have to put the case forward for Vitalis Atefjevs, a mid fielder who played for Rovers for a couple of season circa 1999 as being an international player. Whilst it could be argued he only played for Lativa he reached 150 caps this week and was their captain, surely few players who have never played in the top two divisions have ever acheived this. whilst he played for Rovers and is the best player I have ever seen at Rovers.
Also post no 22, next time you see your cousin say thanks from me. Another good Rovers player and one of the reasons I started supporting them!!
Complain about this comment
So when do you expect to get up to 100wpm Gavin....If you are to become a proper journo, that's the minimum. By the way, speaking as a journalist, the advice I always give to those thinking of entering the world of journalism is don't!! It is a bit like the journeyman footballer whose efforts aren't really appreciated by the fan or the manager, except then it is the readers and management.
Complain about this comment
Didn't Peter Taylor play for England back in the 70s when with an old Third Division club (Burnley?)
Complain about this comment
#31 - will do mate.
Him playin for Man City was also the reason why I started supporting them way back when. Incidentally, I missed Tranmere off his list.
Complain about this comment
Romuald Boco! Accrington legend and Benin international! played in african nations cup, before signing for Sligo cos they had Uefa cup football.
Complain about this comment
You got to try 100wpm. Impossible! Not like I'm any good at 60 either, so well done to you lad.
Complain about this comment
Did Barry Ferguson like a beer when you were at the U21 level Gavin.....
what a stramash.
Complain about this comment
Hey Gavin, first time we read your blog. As (Dutch) Coventry City fans, we remember you playing for us, and seem to remember an episode of Match of the Day in which Alan Hansen pointed you out as a promising player. Especially your movement off the ball if we're not mistaken... probably taped it but not sure and can't look it up as we're away from home.
Well, hope we don't make you sad about missed opportunities, just felt you were going to achieve great things back then. Still don't understand where it went wrong for you, and for Coventry heh... You seemed one of those rare midfielders with lots of vision. Well, good luck on the footy and the journalism career!
Complain about this comment
#37 - lol. Guy is a fool. Going from one of the most adored Scottish players of the current crop to a national villian in under a week is one heck of an achievement.
What are your opinions on their behaviour Gav? Do you think the punishments were warrented? How do you think it will affect Scotlands chances of qualifications? Hypothetically, what do you think your old man would of done had they been Celtic players? (Think Im out of questions but I doubt it lol)
Complain about this comment
Hey Gavin, Great blog as usual. There was a player called Shane Smeltz who used to play for AFC Wimbledon who was called up for the New Zealand national side a couple of times.
Come on you Dons
Complain about this comment
"Several Third Division (old) players have played for England, including Tommy Lawton (four times during 1948-1949 while at Third Division South side Notts County); Reg Matthews (five times in 1956-7 while at Third Division South side Coventry City) and the late Johnny "Budgie" Byrne, who played once for England while at Third Division Crystal Palace in 1962, before moving to West Ham.
Going back further still, there are also several non-league players who have proudly worn the three lions on their chest. Bert Coleman, of Isthmian League side Dulwich Hamlet, won an England cap against Wales in 1921, while Edgar Kail (also of Dulwich) won three caps against France, Belgium and Spain in 1929. Meanwhile, Bernard Joy of Corinthians earned his only cap and became the last amateur to play for the senior England team in the 3-2 loss to Belgium in Brussels on May 9 1936.
More recently, Crystal Palace's Peter Taylor made his four appearances for England in 1976 while the Eagles were flapping around in the Third Division. The aforementioned Steve Bull made his England debut in May 1989 a few weeks after Wolves' title-winning season in the third tier. Bull would go on to make a further 12 appearances, all while plying his trade with Wanderers in the old Second Division."
Courtesy of a daily newspaper's website.
Complain about this comment
first time comment- always a pleasure to read your blogs gavin.
well done for passing your 60 wpm. I'm in my first year of a journalism degree and passed 60wpm last week too! only one error- dead chuffed!
but back to football- i do agree that representing ones country surely should be the pinnacle of a footballers' career and its a shame you never got the chance to make the step up to the full squad, but kudos for even making it to U-21.
finally, with regards to the national anthem, bellowed at full volume every time mate. it disgusts me when players dont seem to care one jot for the national anthem. i remember one commentator saying 'gary neville there, famously tight lipped during the national anthem'. why? does he have no pride. give it some welly like the thousands in the crowd lad.
pfft.
Complain about this comment
Gavin,
RE: Your shorthand exam. I'm currently a Sports Journalism student who's about to leave University and hold the faintest hope of landing a job. I have a freelance job but it won't amount to anything more.
Do you not think it's immensely unfair how footballers are given such help in achieving their 'journalism' status? How long is your course? Mine is three years, and I'm sure I remember seeing yours being one year. Yet, you'll walk out, and get a job because you're an ex professional and son of Gordon. Whereas the 60 people on my course have produced blood, sweat and tears over the last three terms, collecting £10,000 in debt, and will all be struggling to get anywhere in the media structure. In fact, most will probably ultimately pursue other careers.
It's already a cliqué environment with ex-players too scared to say anything contentious against current professionals, and the increase of footballers being panelists and columnists is adding to that. I know I sound bitter. I really am.
Complain about this comment
Congrats on the 60 per minute Gavin. That's what I managed to barely achieve in my first year at Staffs too! I just use a dictaphone now! Hope the course is all going well for you still.
Complain about this comment
post 43. I agree it will be hard to get a job out there and that has been made clear on the course (2 year course). It has also been made clear that we are not high profile enough to be invited on as panelists etc, which is why we are learning to be "proper journalists". I do believe that 13 years of being a professional in the sport I am hoping to cover will give me that extra insight. Good luck for the future.
Complain about this comment
dear spirite
you do sound bitter and you also sound like a quitter dont blame everyone else for your failings lots of hard working people have made a success of of themselves without the need cronism or nepotism theres thousands working in the media through hard work and determination
Complain about this comment
Gavin,
I guess that goes back to the whole debate of the disdainful relationship between journalists and football players, with the players thinking "who are you to criticise me if you have never played professional football?" And I guess that's something that will always be evident in journalism.
I've calmed down a bit since my original post, and it must be acknowledged that you are doing a course to get into journalism, rather than just walking straight into a job straight after football. So fair dooze for that. And, as we all know as trainee journalists, short hand is not fun for anyone. Good luck to you anyway. I just feel that you don't need to be as bleak about the future as me. But that's good for you and that's just life for me.
dunleith,
Trust me, I'm not a quitter. I'm determined to get to where I eventually want to be and I'm confident and focused on that. It's just a massive obstacle course that I'm prepared to undergo. My failings? Enlighten me as to what they are please.
As for nepotism, my point was that the ratio of journalists who have gone through years of training and slogging about to get to where they are today versus the ex-footballers who have had a pretty easy ride is unfair, and I know that many in the profession agree.
Complain about this comment
International Players in the lower leagues ... Steve Bull.
Had a very good scoring record for England and I believe would have continued in the squad had he not ''apparantly'' giving a certain Mr Lineker a smack!
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS