Leighton Grech interviewed by birkirkarafc.com

by Ayrton Galea - 20th July 2011

After a short break from talking with our players, we decided to interview one of the best youngsters of the moment, and one of this year's signings, Leighton Grech.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself :

A: I'm 21 years old. In my football career I played with four different teams.

Q: When and why did you start playing football?

A: I started playing football since I was five. In that time I started like every player that has his father a football fan, but as time went by I realized that football is my life

Q: How do you describe your past experiences with Hibernians and Vittoriosa?

A: With Hibernians I had a long spell and I can say that from young we were always one of the best teams. At the age of 16 I was loaned to Vittoriosa Stars in the First division while. In the following season I was back with Hibernians and we won the Premier League, and the league of the Under 19 section. Last season, while on loan with Vittoriosa Stars I consider it as the best experience since I had the chance to play regularly for the whole season. I gained a lot of experience and learned a lot. It was thanks to Vittoriosa Stars that gave me the chance that I ended up with a top club like Birkirkara.

Q: How difficult is it to find a balance between football and personal issues?

A: You have to find a balance. You have to do all the things in their proper time. Here in Malta players have a drawback because in the morning they have to go to work, and sometimes they go to training feeling tired and this means they have to make a sacrifice and be determined to have the career they want. Personally I'm not finding it that difficult because I'm not working at the moment so I'm finding time to concentrate on football only.

Q: Why did you choose Birkirkara and not another club?

A: This year I had a considerable amount of offers but after considering everything without rushing, I saw that Birkirkara FC is a good opportunity. I'll be making giant steps joining a team that it's always participating in the UEFA competitions and always challenging for honours. It was also my wish because from the beginning because I admire the style of football the play and the class of players that they have.

Q: How difficult is it to adjust from playing for a club targeting to avoid relegation to a club who is targeting for the main honours?

A: There are totally two different targets. Playing to avoid relegation is different from playing to win main honours where you have more pressure and everyone is going all out to try to beat you since you're the team to beat.

Q: Do you think it will difficult to find your space with our team? Do you believe that though you are playing with a top club you will be able to show your qualities?

A: Everybody knows the potential of the players that are in the team but I believe that once the committee and the coach showed interest in me, they believed that I can help the team. For me, personally, I think I can show more my potential because there are players with which you can play great football.

Q: How do you describe your experience with our Club so far?

A: It's a very good one as I was welcomed here by everyone and so far I think I had positive performances.

Q: Who is your best team mate?

A: My best team mate is Terence Vella as I knew him from before. But another player who I didn't know before and is a great person is Andrew Decesare

Q: Tell us about your relationship with the Head Coach.

A: He's not a new coach for me as I was under his guidance when I was loaned to Marsaxlokk and we always had a good relationship.

Q: Do you think that the squad is ready or is there still need for new signings?.

A: I think as far as the Maltese players are concerned we're ready but I think that we need three new players; two defenders and a striker in my opinion.

Q: Do you consider Birkirkara FC to be one to be one of the main challengers for the Premier League title?.

A: Yes.

Q: What are your targets with our Club?

A: To find a regular place and to win honours

Q: How important are the supporters for you and do you have a message for them?

A: Support plays a big part of the game as well. So far I never had the opportunity to play for a club with a big amount of supporters like Birkirkara, but I can assure you that when you have all these supporters behind, the player gets an enormous boost. My message for them is stay behind us in the good and in the bad moments and I have no doubt that we'll be having great times in the coming years!

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