Callum Wilson

In early years, I was playing in centre midfield because the players at the back couldn't get the ball to me.

So it was about getting off the bat and taking it to the front.

Whereas as I started to go on to 11 a side and we started having players that could play a little bit in the middle, I was playing up front and it was just balls in behind.

And then it was just 1v1s, dance around the goalie and then, yeah, scoring the goal.

Getting clattered?

yeah from time to time but that's you know it builds that kind of robustness for you yeah yeah do you think as well because obviously you had two loan spells away do you think your experience at grassroots you were like okay i know what that's like i want to test myself at different levels in my journey up through the game definitely i think i probably didn't learn a lot from the football side of things actually on the pitch and just because i was playing on right wing you know of course he was getting clattered left right and center by big you know center halves and left backs and stuff

But it was more about off the field and how guys were turning up to their games in work overalls.

And I never visualised football in that way and never thought that I'd have to turn up to a match in a work van with paint all over me.

And I didn't see myself as that.

So it was about working hard and thinking, OK, that is football of some sort, but it's not where I want to be at.

So it was about pushing on then.

It was because winning games was like the main thing, the utmost importance of, you know, it wasn't just about the points.

It was about their salaries at the end of the day and they get paid the more that we win and things like that.

And we have luxuries now in the Premier League that you take for granted just having a kit laid out with socks without holes in and things, you know.

So it was appreciating the little things.

And I think that's why, you know, for me, I've remained so humble throughout my career because I've seen that that is what could happen.

And also I'm grateful for where I am at the moment.

And I think also it's the physicality now.

Players are a lot fitter in the lower leagues because, one, they strive to become better, but...

Two, there's more education on nutrition and things like that and longevity in the game.