It’s a big night for you Lloyd, potentially playing for England in front of your home supporters…
Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. Obviously I know a few people who will be there, especially my family, a few team-mates might be coming down and some of my mates. I’ve had a fair few requests for tickets! I know there will be a few Bristol fans there and it’s great that the club is getting the recognition of hosting the U21s. Obviously, it’s a nice stadium and it’s an ideal venue for us to play a game at really.
The last time the U21s played at Ashton Gate was in 2010. You would’ve been ten, so what would a ten-year-old Lloyd Kelly have been doing back then?
Erm, I can’t remember that game! But I would’ve probably just been out in the park playing with my mates, playing football and taking the mick out of my friends. The normal day-to-day stuff really, just trying to have a laugh and messing about. I was a City fan growing up.
How much has the stadium changed in the last few years, even for you growing up as a fan and then a young player at the club?
Yeah, the amount of work that’s been done on the stadium is insane really. Looking back on it now, when I was younger I probably didn’t really appreciate what the stadium was then to now. The capacity has shot up and the overall feel as you look at it from the outside, there’s a completely different feel to it and there’s even more when you go into the stadium.
These games with Poland and Germany are the last games before the trip to the Euro Finals this summer, so it’s a real chance for everyone to impress and win their place in the squad for the Finals.
That’s what everyone’s aim is, to get into that squad for the summer. You’ve got to try and take your place and I’m sure that’s what everyone will be trying to do this camp, so it will probably be quite intense and it will be another one to enjoy.
Read the full interview in the England match programme, which also features interviews with Dominic Solanke, Aidy Boothroyd and much more. Pick up a copy at Ashton Gate or you can buy one online.
