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An Interview With Paul Wellens- Rugby League Legend & City Fan
Thursday, 20th Mar 2014 13:24

Paul Wellens....Rugby League legend,Great Britain and England international, Lance Todd Trophy, Harry Sunderland Trophy, and the Man of Steel Award winner is also you'll be glad to hear a City fan. Paul is a rare breed in sports stars these days. He began his career with Saint Helens in 1998 and continues to be a integral part of the team to this day. He has played over 400 times for the Saints and made 15 and 20 appearances for England and Great Britain.

Paul took some time out from his busy schedule to speak to us at "Not In My Lifetime".

Hi Paul. Thanks for joining us. Firstly, congratulations on your fantastic start to the new Super League season. Do you think this could be the Saints season?

I certainly hope so. We've got a very strong squad this season and are better prepared than we've been for a few years. The competition is always tough to win but we have as good a chance as anybody.

Has it always been Rugby for you or did you once have dreams of making it in Football?

I've always been a Rugby man at heart, growing up in St Helens it's almost impossible to escape. I enjoy watching football and played a bit at school but it seemed the better I got at rugby the worse I got at football.

Staying with Rugby League, you must enjoy the Super Leagues Magic Weekends? How is it for you walking out at the Ethiad?

It's fantastic! I hadthe opportunity to play there back in 2004 when playing for GB against the Aussies so Magic Weekend was not the first time. But any chance I get to play at the Etihad is great, but it's quite surreal when your watching MCFC play and just a week or so later your running around there yourself.

Being from Merseyside, how come you are a City fan and how did it all start for you?

I have three older brothers, two are City fans and one follows Liverpool. My eldest brother Kevin is twenty years older than me and grew up watching the likes of Bell and Summerbee so its probably down to him really. I followed suit, he would take me to games every so often and it went from there.

Do you manage to get to many games?

Yeah.. I've got season ticket in Block 140... I go with my two brothers Kevin and Ian and their sons Tom and Luke, my 8 year old son Harry comes too.

So what's your all time best City memory?

There's a few really, obviously it's hard to look past AGUEROOOOOO!!! and the 6-1 at Old Trafford but further back it would be the 10 Man FA Cup comeback at White Hart Lane.

Do you have a favourite all time City player?

It was Georgi Kinkladze when I was a teenager, everyone loved him and a bit after that Shaun Goater.

How about your current favourite City player?

Difficult really as there's a few Workd Class players,I love watching Silva play and YAYA is immense but I'd have to go for Vincent Kompany.... Never met him but seems like a top bloke too!

How did you feel when Mancini's reign came to end? Do you think it was the right time for a change?

Yes I did. Not based on results but it appeared his relationship with the players had broken down, I know from my experiences in Rugby that if the relationship between players and management is strained its difficult to get results no matter how good the players are. That was evident in FA Cup Final against Wigan.

Manuel Pellegrini.....Do you think he is the right man for the job?

I think so Yes. The players seem to respect him and he certainly plays an exciting brand of football.

Where were you on the 13th May 2012 when Sergio Aguero scored the goal that won us the title?

Block 140 going absolutely crazy, caught in two minds really, do I continue going mad or try to rescue my son who was getting thrown about like he was in a tumble dryer. I kissed some bloke behind me and I've not been able to turn around since.

Do you have a favourite City song or chant?

I like the New Vincent Kompany one, its short and sweet with a catchy tune.

Are there any players you would love to see pull on a city shirt?

Too be honest its hard to complain with what we have at the moment but to see Lionel Messi in a City shirt would be unreal... I like the look of Mangala though, defender from Porto we've been linked with. I think that'll be great signing if it comes off.

And last of all....Who do you think will win the premier League this year?

CITY..... With no CL football now (The luxury LFC have had most of the season. ) we can go all out for it and be close to full strength ( if we get some luck with injuries ) for most games. We are certainly the best team.

Well, thanks for speaking to us Paul. Good luck for the rest of the season and let's hope we will all be celebrating come the 11th of May!!

Photo: Action Images



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