NI Goalkeeping - Home of Northern Ireland Goalkeeping

Wayne Drummond interview

1. What is your earliest footballing memory?

Playing for Newbridge AFC was the first club I played for.

2. When did you realise you wanted to become a goalkeeper?

I started playing in goals when I was 10 and I really liked playing in that position so I stuck at it.

3. How did it feel when you signed up with Glentoran?

It was a little bit hard to play for them at the start but now I love it and every time that I am selected to play for them I give it my all.

4. What route/how did you get into the game?

I got put in nets when our goalkeeper was injured. The rest is history.

5. What advice would you give to youngsters wanting to become a keeper?

The advice that I would give is that no matter what happens to you, for instance if you get released from a team or even don't get picked for a team that all your friends are in, do not ever give up and just push yourself more to live your dream to become a top class goalkeeper.

6. What's the best advice you have received?

Not to give up when everything is going against you, just make it happen the next time.

7. Who's been the biggest influence on your career?

There are a few people who have really influenced me in my career so far, like my Dad, Scott Boyd my Northern Ireland goalkeeping coach and my Glentoran goalkeeping coach.

8. Who do you play like/compare yourself to?

I have always loved watching Maik Taylor, the Birmingham City and Northern Ireland goalkeeper playing.

9. Did you have any idols when you were younger?

I think that Maik Taylor is one of the best goalkeepers around at the moment and I also admire the way he plays for his country. He would be a great role model for any kid who wanted to become the next Northern ireland Goalkeeper

10. How often do you train and what is your favourite drill or practice?

I train three nights a week and a match on Saturday afternoon. My favourite drill is an up and down drill that Davy our goalkeeping coach at Glentoran does.

11. What are your strengths/weaknesses?

I would say that I am a really good shot stopper, but I think I could be a bit more relaxed when I am on the ball.

12. What's it like working with Elliott Morris and Michael Dougherty?

It is a really good laugh working with them both and they would also help me out in training and they would never see me stuck if I was having difficulty in perfecting any techniques.

13. You are the youngest player ever to play for Glentoran first team. How do you feel about that?

It is a great honour, but I can't get carried away with myself because I know that other goalkeepers would give anything to get the opportunity I have at Glentoran.

14. How do you deal with criticism?

I am OK with criticism. I take it on board and just get on with it.

15. You've been on the bench a couple of times for the first XI. What is this like? Do you feel frustrated not to be playing or are you biding your time? What is your ambition career playing wise? Where do you see yourself in five years time?

It is really good experience to get away with the first team squad to see how they prepare for a game. I don't get frustrated as I have said it is really good experience for me if I am called up again to play for the first team. I would hope that in five years time I would be playing in the championship or the Scottish Premier League.

16. Who would you say is the best keeper in the world at the moment?

Buffon, the italy goalkeeper. He is the complete goalkeeper and I like the way he plays. He just has it all.

17. Who would you say is the best keeper and outfield player in the Irish League at the moment?

The best keepers in the Irish League at the minute are Elliott Morris, Glentoran and Alan Mannus, Linfield. There are a number of really good outfield players in the league, but I think that I would have to go for Gary Hamilton, Glentoran and Michael Gault, Linfield.

18. What would you think of an all Ireland league?

Personally I would not like it because if there was an all Ireland league, no disrespect to any other clubs in the Irish League, but I think Linfield would be the only team that would be able to compete with the teams from the South.

19. What's been the best moment of your career so far?

Beating Chelsea in the Milk Cup this year with the County Antrim squad.

20. And the worst?

I would have to say conceding six goals against Linfield Swifts on boxing day.

21. Who's the best player you've played with?

Conor McLaughlin who plays for Linfield and Northern Ireland school boy's team, because he makes me feel so safe at the back. What a player he is!

22. What's the best stadium you've played in?

Bloomfield Road, home of Blackpool FC.

23. Who is the biggest joker in the dressing room?

There are a few, but Michael Dougherty and Dean Fitzgerald have to be up there.

24. Who's the best and worst dressed at Glentoran?

The best dressed is the Doc (Michael Dougherty) and the worst is Daryl Fordyce?

25. What music do you listen to?

Elvis and rap.

26. What TV programmes do you watch?

The Simpsons and any football programmes.

27. What car would you like to drive?

BMW X5.

28. If you did become a professional goalkeeper with a big club in England what would you spend your first wage packet on?

My first wage would go to my granda, because no matter what I have done or got myself into, he was always there for me.

29. What's your favourite food/drink?

Cowboy Supper.

30. What is your nickname?

Wayneso or Wazza.

31. If you did not make it as a keeper what would you do career wise?

I would go into coaching or some sort of youth work, because I have a really big interest in it.

32. Describe yourself in five words?

Funny, Big, Careing and Hard Working.