30 June 2006
VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has been the latest player to talk to TheFA.com about how he got into football.
Get into Football is The FA's first campaign aimed at getting more children and parents involved in the beautiful game, both on and off-the-field.

Michael Owen and Frank Lampard are two England stars who are supporting the campaign, and at the England World Cup base, Michael Carrick has been the latest player to talk to TheFA.com about how he got into football.

Michael. How did you first get involved in football?

My Dad was heavily involved in a volunteering capacity at Wallsend Boys Club, so I actually started playing a bit of five-a-side when I was about five years old on Saturday nights.

At what stage did you take your game to another level?

My school wasn’t that big into sport, but when I was about 12, I got selected for the district. I didn’t know too much about those opportunities, but I played at that level really until I left school.

At that stage I played as a centre forward and it wasn’t until I joined West Ham that I began to play more consistently in midfield. At that time I always seemed to score a lot of goals, but they’ve dried up a bit lately!

How important is it for children to practice, if they want to improve their skills?

When I was a kid, I used to practice all the time with my younger brother. At that age we would just play as much as possible; in the garden, on the street or on any spare bit of grass.

I enjoyed trying new skills and the more I did them, slowly I got better and better.

How big an influence has your Dad been on your career?

He was there at the very beginning and used to help out with refereeing or some of the administration. He supported my brother and me all the way and now that we’ve both ‘grown up’, he has gone back to helping out at Wallsend Boys Club.

I try and go back often too; it’s nice to help kids grow up and for me to give something back.

My Dad played for Middlesbrough’s Reserves and my Grandad represented England at youth level, so you could say football is in our blood really.

My brother was at West Ham too but unfortunately had a few injuries. Now he’s coaching kids and really enjoying it. I’d consider doing something similar at the end of my career, but am not sure about management!

What advice would you give to young children?

Always enjoy it. If you do something you enjoy, you tend to always give your best and put the hours in to be the best you can be.

If you would like to find more about how to ‘Get into Football’ click here.