Full transcript from my interview today with Cheltenham Town Academy defender Kian Bedford
Here are the basic details of Kian before the transcript;
Are you a Scholar at CTFC academy: yes
Here is the full transcript of my interview with the 17 year old.
How long have you been here at the academy for?
“This is my second season.”
How did you get into football and his journey so far as a footballer?
“I have been playing football since I was four years old.
“I joined this summer camp, and got picked up by Albion (West Brom).
“I was at Albion for fifteen months. But at the same time, I was at Walsall.
“Albion released me, so I was just at Walsall. Obviously you can’t get signed until you are under 9’s. So Wolves came in for me, asked me for a trial. I went to them, but I didn’t really like their facilities, and Walsall was near my house anyway.
“So I stuck with Walsall, and got signed for them, which was great. I was there until under 15’s.
“When I was ten years old, I got asked to go to a Man United pre-season camp, which was great.
“And then when I come back, things changed. They muddled up my position. So I went from a midfielder to a striker to a defender in one season.
“So it’s quite hard to adapt.
“And as my time went on with Walsall, I didn’t really enjoy it. Because I raised it up with them, and they let me go.
“Going through a teenage stage, I wanted to do what my mates were doing. So they were going out partying and all of that.
“So I was thinking why can’t I do all of that. So it was quite hard and I wanted to do what they were doing.
“So I went through a hard time where I didn’t want to play football, but I maintained my fitness.
“And then four weeks later after my release, I played Cheltenham in a friendly and we beat them 5-0.
“And then they asked me to come in on the Saturday, which was against Walsall!
Difference between Walsall academy and Cheltenham academy, and what made you choose them over other clubs?
“One thing different to Walsall, is that Cheltenham are more professional in the way that they support people.
“Whereas at Walsall, I couldn’t really go up to a coach and say I have this going on and that going on.
“But here it’s so friendly. You can go up to the coaches and have a good conversation with them. They are so supportive when you are having a bad day.
“Also their philosophy like their goals and aims are different to Walsall.”
Who’s his favourite player from the senior squad and why?
“I’d say Rhys Lovett, even though he is not my position.
“I’ve know him since he was at Walsall before. So I kind of have that strong relationship with him anyway. And whoever he talks too, I’m more or less close to them through Rhys.”
“I want to get pro here. If not, I still want to do something that involves football, whether that’s playing for a lower league club or higher, or even managing or coaching.”
