Airdrie boy Barry signs contract with Aston Villa

Jul 23 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

MOST young boys dream of becoming a professional footballer and signing for their favourite club.

On the pitches and in the streets, lads in replica shirts hone their skills while pretending to be Cristiano Ronaldo or Cesc Fabregas.

The reality is that only a lucky few are given the chance to live the dream.

And even then, a whole lot of hard work is required to break into the first team.

Some will be driven by their sheer love of football; others will seek motivation from an altogether different source.

Airdrie boy Barry Bannan was told many times by his peers and even a former coach that he would never be good enough to play at a high level.

But the talented Monklands footballer has vowed to prove the doubters wrong after signing a two-year professional contract with Aston Villa.

He is hoping to break into the Villa top team after committing his future to the English Premiership giants.

The 18-year-old penned the deal after star performances with the Midlands club at the Angel’s Cup in Stuttgart in Germany and at the Hong Kong’s International Sevens competition last season.

Villa’s youngsters won each event, with ex-Lenzie Youth starlet Barry picking up the Player of the Tournament awards into the bargain.

He says that having to put up with people telling him he wasn’t good enough to make the grade, has given him the desire to succeed.

“This is all a dream come true and I was delighted to sign a two-year contract with Villa,” the former St Margaret’s High School pupil told the Advertiser.

“Some people up the road said I wouldn’t make it down here but I don’t think I have done too badly so far.

“Those comments are driving me on and motivate me as I want to prove those people wrong. I think some folk are a wee bit jealous of me but it is up to me to work hard and try and get into the first team.

“If you are good enough down here, you will get your chance. Age doesn’t come into it.

“I am really hoping to break into the first team this season and if I play well I think I have got a chance.

“The new rule regarding substitutes is coming into force and that means teams can put seven players on the bench for matches.

“We are also taking part in the Intertoto Cup and, as we have a small squad at the moment, I’m hoping I might get a chance then as well. There are also the Carling Cup games, when a lot of Premiership teams give their reserves and youth players an opportunity to play, so there are chances there for me.

“I am looking to establish myself in the reserve team and then hopefully I can kick on from there.”

Barry was part of the under-18 Villa side who beat FC Mains 1-0 in the final of the Angel’s Cup in Stuttgart.

In Hong Kong, he scored a hat-trick in a resounding 5-0 quarter-final victory over Eastleigh and was on target in a 3-1 success against the Australian Institute of Sport. Villa claimed the overall trophy by defeating Celtic 2-0 in the final.

Barry added: “We did really well in those competitions and it was good to be named Player of the Tournament in both of them.”

The teenager has been on Villa’s books for four years after signing schoolboy forms at the age of 14.

He lives in Erdington on the outskirts of Birmingham with his mum Kathleen, dad James and sister Nicole, who decided to move to the Midlands after Barry became homesick.

Happily settled, catching the eye of Villa gaffer Martin O’Neill is now his main aim. And Barry reckons the former Celtic boss will happily pitch in the rookies if he thinks they are up to the job.

He said: “I have spoken to him a few times and he has told me I will get my chance.

“He is a good manager. He urges you on and doesn’t let the youth teams at the club go unnoticed.

“On one occasion, he was in Spain with the first team but he flew back to come to Carlisle and watch the youths in a cup game before flying away again.”

Barry and his team-mates have just resumed pre-season training as they gear up for the big kick-off next month.

“We have new fitness coaches and they have changed the training patterns completely,” said the central midfielder.

“They have got us doing a lot more with the ball early and that has made the sessions a lot more interesting and enjoyable.

“I am now just looking forward to the season starting and working hard to try and impress the manager.”

Should Barry get the chance to pit his wits against the very best, you’ll know he will have earned every moment of it.