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Poulton player swaps Bolton for exotic island
A YOUNG Fylde footballer had the choice of signing for Doncaster Rovers or becoming the only British player plying his trade in Cyprus.
Midfielder Matthew Cassidy chose the sunnier option.
The ambitious 20-year-old from Poulton is now in the Cypriot first division with Enosis Neon Paralimni, playing against teams with Champions League experience while many of his footballing friends back home are out of the game.
It's been a rollercoaster ride for the former St Mary's High School pupil, who went on to combine a scholarship at Bolton Wanderers with A Levels at Kirkham Grammar School.
In 2007, Cassidy was thriving at the Reebok, where he was named Academy Player of the Year and helped the reserveS to win their league.
But he dropped down the pecking order when former Blackpool boss Gary Megson replaced Sammy Lee at the helm and Cassidy found himself without a club.
He had trials at several clubs and was offered one-year deals by Luton and Doncaster, but then Bolton Academy boss Pete Farrell alerted him to the opportunity at Paralimni, where a trial resulted in a two-year contract with a further 12-month option.
Cassidy said: "Young players don't know what great opportunities there are to play abroad.
"It was a new experience but I knew I had the opportunity of playing games. The club looked after me, providing me with an apartment and car on arrival and paying for me to take Greek lessons.
The language lessons could not start a moment too soon – aiming to make a good first impression by greeting his new team-mates in Greek, he actually bemused them because the word he thought meant 'hello' actually translates as 'thank you'.
The football takes some getting used to as well: "The tempo is different. The game is much slower, much more tactical and less physical," explains Cassidy.
Hardly surprising considering the climate: the temperatures will exceed 30 degrees when Matthew returns to Paralimni in a few weeks' time for pre-season training.
That's why trainings sessions are held from 6-8am and 6-8pm each day.
In his first season Paralimni finished tenth in the 14-team first division, though Cassidy established himself as a regular in a central holding role.
But the quality of the league is beyond doubt: Anorthosis Famagusta shared a group with Inter Milan, Werder Bremen and Panathinaikos in last season's Champions League, taking points off all three.
Cassidy has settled well in a multi-national team containing players from three continents. And the passion for football inspires him.
"They're mad for the game in Cyprus and they love watching English teams."
But he is frustrated that a lack of opportunities in England drives many young players out of the game.
"You need a bit of luck. A lot of players I know were released and have jobs outside football now. I also know some playing in Thailand and the USA."
But Matthew, who qualifies to represent Republic of Ireland and has played for them at under-18 and under-19 levels, says he would be happy to return to English club football in the future.
"The best football in the world is in England. I'd love to play back home but I have a great opportunity here."
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
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Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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