*** INTERVIEW WITH DURAN MARTIN ***

*** PLAYER INTERVIEW with our Antigua & Barbuda International DURAN MARTIN ***

Duran is sponsored by Carl Catling and @THAMEUNITEDFC

Interview by Carl Catling

@THAMEUNITEDFC would like to thank Duran for his time completing this interview and wish him further success in the season ahead.

*** QUESTION TIME ***

Who or what has been your biggest inspiration to get into football?
DURAN – ‘When I was younger about 7 years old, my older brother was 5 years older than me so that was the first push towards football I had and my getting my first Man Utd shirt with Beckham on the back’.

When did you get your first international cap for Antigua & Barbuda? How did it happen?
DURAN – ‘It was March 2016. I had to fly over to play Aruba at home which we won 2-1 and then played away to St Kitts & Nevis which is a Caribbean derby which we lost 1-0. They had a strong squad including Sawyers from Brentford. I was originally supposed to go and play for the u20 squad in a qualifier which fell through due to difficulties with my registration but was later contacted to play in the next qualifier by the ABFA’.

How many international caps do you currently have? And what makes international football different to domestic football?
DURAN - ‘7 caps, six of these was starting and one off the bench. In the Caribbean the weather is a difference because it is constantly hot when you train any time of the day. Alot of the pitches are in cricket stadiums where it I fat and solid but the quality is good which surprises people. There are a lot of players based in England but also some good athletic players over there with strong technical ability’.

What has been your biggest achievement in football? What has been your proudest moment as a footballer?
DURAN - ‘It would be representing the island, growing up it was never something that crossed my mind. So when it came about it was a shock but big achievement for myself and my family. My dad side of the family is where the Caribbean side is from in me. My parents were happy for me and told me to enjoy the opportunity and make the most of it’.

This is your first season with us at Thame United FC, what was your reason for joining us and what has been your greatest moment to date with the team?
DURAN - ‘I spoke with Dave Lynn in the summer and he mentioned about coming over and spoke with Mark West and he said to come in for training. I came for pre season which went really well. The first league game at home I got a goal against North Leigh which was a difficult game but managed to get the win’.

We have had horrendous weather recently, what effect has this had on yourself and the team?
DURAN - ‘For myself, im not a fan of the winter and the fact we are 5th in the playoffs it shows we have managed it well’.

Thame are currently 5th in the league, when you joined us what were your expectations for the season ahead?
DURAN - ‘Coming in as a new player it was difficult because I was playing in the opposite division in the south west last season with Kidlington. So I had no experience of this league, being in a new team I wanted to do as well as possible and be in the top end of the table and thankfully we are in and around it’.

Do you support or follow a team? And have a favourite player of all time?
DURAN - ‘Yeh, I’m a Man Utd fan, and my favourite player is David Beckham which is a random one. He is a player I looked up to being a midfield player, he was technically sound’.

For Thame and Antigua which position(s) have you played in?
DURAN - ‘For Antigua it’s always been central midfield but mostly as a deep midfielder. Here in Thame I have played central midfield, playing behind the striker and the wing’.

You were sponsored for this season by @THAMEUNITEDFC what does this mean to you?
DURAN - ‘It’s a nice feeling, and you feel like you have been taken in. Being a new player it shows that someone has noticed you and has been supporting you so that’s always good. It’s now on me to keep doing good things’.

Do you have any comments for our fans on www.thamefootball.co.uk and @THAMEUNITEDFC?
DURAN - ‘Heading into the end of the season it’s a really interesting and exciting time. So if people haven’t already this year definitely come down and support the boys for which could potentially be a very successful season’.