002 Hendon

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Lee Molyneaux

Iain



Aged 18, Pat Suraci packed his mel United are in the Second you believe in it and stick with the
car and drove himself to Bel- Division – the standard was good. philosophy then it can work.”
gium to sign professionally for A lot of players who like the ball
second-tier side Lommel United. and players from big teams like Suraci is happy continu-
The former Southampton Genk and Anderlecht who would ing his education on the south-
youngster had an enjoyable come on loan. You could see how coast as he strives for another shot
spell in Europe before returning sharp they are – those players like in the pro game and he’s already
to England to play for Bognor De Bruyne and Hazard, you can played more than 150 games
Regis Town, on loan at Wey- see why they produce those play- including a good personal season
mouth, before returning to ers because they’re always teach- last time out. “A big thing was the
Gosport Borough where he’d ing skill, turning and ball work. two managers – Craig McAllister
had a previous stint. Last sea- and Matt Tubbs – gave me a lot of
son, the 21-year-old showed his “It’s hard to defend be- game time,” Suraci, who also
talent despite the team’s chal- cause even the defenders are good credits former Coventry and
lenging position in the Southern on the ball. They’ll just pop it Southampton defender Paul Wil-
League Premier Division South. around you, whereas in England liams for having a big impact on
Suraci scored 12 goals and had the defender will usually look to his career, said. “They believed
14 assists to his name and he’s clip balls forward quite quickly. I and trusted me to play every
determined to build on it this played about six games in the first game. I always believe myself that
campaign. team – which for an 18-year-old if I play every game I am capable
was a lot – so it was a good expe- of scoring and creating goals.
And he says his Belgium rience to be in that professional They’ve both had good careers –
experience taught him some quick environment and I learnt a lot.” Tubbsy would take sessions and
life lessons. “It made me grow up we’d learn from him, Macca has a
a bit quicker than I might have if I Suraci believes the tide is lot of experience as well so it
stayed at home,” Suraci says. “I turning in Non-League when it really helped me. They were at-
had to look after myself – I lived comes to managers demanding tacking players, same as I am, so
by myself and I didn’t speak the good football. “I think that is it was really good for me. Things
language. To get there I had to really changing in Non-League,” have changed at Gosport this
drive through France and Holland. he says. “People say it’s long ball, season. We have a new manager
I was just 18 and drove by myself. long ball, but as young coaches now with Lee Molyneux and it
It took me about six hours but it come through, the style is chang- looks really positive for this sea-
was a good opportunity for me, a ing and teams are trying to play a son. I think we’ll do well. There’s
different opportunity, and now bit more. For example, when I good vibes around the place.”
I’ve got contacts in Belgium so played at Weymouth on loan, all © Matt Badcock
you never know there might be they wanted to do was pass the
another chance in the future. Lom- ball and they went up last year
doing that so it clearly works. If

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