Nicky
Byrne today is the idol of millions, a household name in the world of pop music
as a member of the record-breaking boyband Westlife. But it could have been so
much different if he had been one or two more inches in height. Then it is
almost certain he would have been a professional footballer, playing at the
highest level.
Although he now spends most of his time between recording
studios, television studios and travelling around the world with Westlife, Nicky
still retains his love and interest in football. It’s understandable when you
realise that he spent almost ten years playing schoolboy soccer in Dublin, first
with Home Farm for nine seasons and later with St Kevin’s.
It was the
summer of ’95 when Nicky, then a 16 year old, left home to join Leeds United. He
was one of a quintet of young Irish footballers who joined the Elland Road staff
that summer. Among the others were Alan Maybury and Stephen McPhail.
Although
it was almost six years ago, Nicky remembers it as if it was last year and it’s
obvious, despite being released by the club, that he enjoyed his time at Elland
Road. "There were two Irish players in the Leeds’ first team, Gary Kelly and
David O’Leary who was coming to the end of his playing career. For a while I was
selected to clean the boots of Gary Kelly and Lee Sharpe" he recalled.
At the time Leeds was going through managerial change. "When I joined,
Howard Wilkinson was the manager. But shortly afterwards George Graham replaced
him and appointed Dave O’Leary as his assistant."
Sadly Nicky was
released after two years with the club. "They couldn’t believe that I admitted I
was a Man Utd fan during a television interview, but it was my lack of height
that was the problem" he added.
"Top class goalkeepers really need to be
over six foot, ideally six foot two or more. I was regarded as a 'great little
'keeper'. But the key word was 'little'. I was 5.8 or 5.9 when I joined at 16.
The hope was I would add those inches with age, but sadly it didn’t happen.
"Eddie Gray, the coach, said he would take a chance if I grew to 5.11 or
6.0. But I only made 5.10. So I was released and went on to enter the music
world", he explained.
But he hasn’t lost contact with his friends at
Leeds, especially Alan Maybury who was his team-mate at Home Farm for nine
years. "Georgina and I stayed with Alan and his girlfriend in their house when I
went back to Elland Road recently."
"It brought back some great memories.
Apart from Alan, I met most of the players. The likes of Harry Kewell and
Jonathan Woodgate were in the youth side when I was with the club. The coaching
staff are much the same too, only this time they paid more attention to me" he
joked.
"David O’Leary was so nice. He brought his young daughter to meet
me, as she is a big Westlife fan."
Although the demands of the music
business restrict his freedom to attend as many matches as he would like, he did
get to one special game late last year. "Most of my friends were travelling to
Amsterdam for the match against Holland. They all wanted me to go, but I had to
attend a photo shoot in London. All day I was thinking of the lads having the
craic in Amsterdam, so when the photo shoot ended at six o’clock, I headed
straight for Heathrow to see if there were any flights available to Amsterdam.
"It’s only a 45 minute flight from London, so I was lucky. I got a
flight and met my friends just before the game. They had a ticket for me, so
everything was sorted. I spent the night with about six thousand other Irish
supporters roaring our heads off. It couldn’t have been good for the voice, but
what the heck, it was a night to remember.
"At one stage Ireland were
two goals up on Holland. Even now it’s hard to believe. Although they hit back
to draw level in the second half, it was still a special occasion that I will
never forget.
"It was my first opportunity in a long time to be back
with my friends watching Ireland and I made the most of it. I think we drank
‘til four or five. What’s seldom is wonderful.
"I still get the odd
opportunity to see the big games if I’m at home, but now it’s usually with
Georgina and her dad. Not that I’m complaining. Because of Westlife’s
commitments I know my free time is limited. I’m just glad to get to then odd
match whether it’s Leeds, Man Utd or Ireland."
In April 1997
Nicky along with Alan Maybury were chosen for the Republic of Ireland youth team
in the UEFA Youth Championship match versus Norway in May of that year.
