SPIREITEWORLD'S Geoff Mitchell spoke to our new right back Alex Bailey shortly after he signed  read on to find out more about Alex

Well Alex you ended up at Chesterfield but you've come from Arsenal!

Yes, I've been with Arsenal since the age of twelve, but in the last year I have realised that it is not going to be easy to break through.  I want to play some first-team football and get in the shop-window and Chesterfield have offered me a nice deal.

You've been at Arsenal for some years and you have played for England under-sixteens.

Yes I was an England schoolboy but fell out of that due to injury and found it difficult to get back in.  I have been at Arsenal as a scholar and then as a pro.  I learned a lot there and saw many great players.  I hope I can bring some of that here to Chesterfield.

You were playing reserve team football at Arsenal.

Yes I broke through into the reserves.   I also played in the FA Youth Cup Final with a lot of other good youngsters.  However I really want first-team football to further myself which is why I am at Chesterfield.

What do you know about Chesterfield- it's a long way from your home!

I know you have a spire that is pretty curvy but that is about all!  I came up on the train and I saw a lot of unfamiliar things but I am open to new ideas.  I want to learn about the area that I am going to play football in.

There are quite a few young lads signing, as well as a few experienced ones.  The fans are looking forward to what you can do.

I don't thing there is anything wrong with a number of young legs, that can only be good for the team.  But it is well to mix it with the experienced players brought in or already here.

What is your position?

I play right fullback but I also love to attack but I also enjoy defending when I have to.  I want to bring a bit of energy and a bit of commitment.

What sort of a deal have you got?

It is just the one year then we will review that when we have seen how I progress in the side.  Hopefully things will go well and there will be further contracts.

What will it be like away from home?

To be honest it is going to be hard!  If you told me I was moving away from home but stopping in London that would have been easier.  It is part of life- you go through changes and it is how you deal with them.  I have been around the area this afternoon and think I can settle in.

It is the nature of the job, footballers sometimes have to travel around.

That's it, almost like a rolling stone.  I have lived out of a suitcase for a few years, it will be a change but I'm looking forward to it.

A little bit more about you.  What about your music?

The players will see me with earphones a lot of the time.  I am open to quite a few things, R&B and the mellow stuff, but not head-banging rock.  I am quite musical.

How do you chill-out?

Like a big kid with the Play Station2 or my CDs.  I am not a big television fan but you might find my head in a magazine.

What about your favourite food?

You might not believe it but I am a big pasta freak at the moment!  I am not into the junk food like hamburgers.  Just plain food- pasta, salads and a steak every now and then.

That used to be the big pre-match meal- a steak!

How times have changed.  Now its boiled chicken and carrots- not as good as it used to be but football has changed!  Your body is a machine now and you have to take care of it.

I don't suppose you have had chance to see the fixture list yet?

While I was in the Boss' office I had a quick look.  The first game is Brentford at home.  I am looking forward to that one especially if I am in the starting eleven.  The fixtures didn't look that appealing but not daunting either.  There are bound to be some interesting games in there.

You probably didn't realise that there are a lot of northern games and so many local derbies.  Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield, Hull and Doncaster Rovers- all likely to bring a big crowd to Saltergate.  A good atmosphere must help people play.

Definitely, that will be a bit of a shock to the system, a few tackles might wake me up in those games.  I have only played in such as Spurs at youth or reserve level.  I am glad you've told me- I'm looking forward to that.   It must be good for the fans and the team.

Are you expecting a difference in the sort of football you will be playing?

I wouldn't say reserve football is gentlemanly but I am expecting a difference.  I think it will be more physical but I am still expecting some teams to play nice football.  They say that when you drop down the divisions it gets more direct but some side still try to keep the ball and move it around.  I have not seen Chesterfield play but hopefully the boss plays like that!  If he doesn't I will change my game.

What is the highlight of your career so far?

Representing England at youth level and winning the FA Youth Cup- that stands out.  At that age playing in that sort of competition when there were so many good sides.

You are highly regarded but presumably there are so many youngsters at Arsenal that they to let some go?  Are you a bit unlucky?

I can't answer that, you would have to ask Arsene Wenger that.  He doesn't say too much so whether you would get an answer I don't know.  I would like to think I was unlucky.  Perhaps there were a few things I could do better but that is football.  It was going to be difficult at Arsenal but I gave it my best shot- it wasn't to be.

They are the Champions after all.

Yes they are the Champions at the frightening thing is they are getting better and better!  At Arsenal you cannot rest on your laurels you have to keep on improving.  They don't bring in many players but when they do then they are very good.  Even though I didn't get another contract it was still beneficial being there.  Hopefully I have learned a few things I can bring to Chesterfield.

Well you come here highly recommended but I don't think Roy McFarland has ever seen you play!

I don't think so- he might not know which foot I kick with!

We hope it is the right one!

It is, there is no doubt about that!  I think the recommendation was from Pat Rice and I assume he said some good things.  There was also Keith Peacock at Charlton and I am grateful to them.

What are you hoping to achieve in your first season?

Just to establish myself in the team, get to know the boys and play some good football.  I also want to enjoy my football- which is all I ever wanted.  Hopefully Chesterfield can push on to some good things this season.

They have narrowly avoided relegation for the last three season.  It would be good on the old ticker if we could push towards the play-offs.

At least we don't want to be waiting until the last game or the last two minutes this season.  I am not sure what the divisions are called nowadays but I know that outside of the Premiership it is unpredictable.  You can go from just avoiding relegation to pushing for promotion in one season.  Who is to say Chesterfield can't do that?

You've just signed in time as pre-season training starts tomorrow.

Somehow I've wriggled out of that but I will come back tomorrow night and be ready for Thursday!

Alex Bailey- welcome to Saltergate!

Thank you very much- it is nice to be here.

 

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