Yeah, yeah, yeah. We all know their dad’s called Neville Neville. But take it from SPOTRED! ,This is one sporting family you don’t wanna take the mick outta. Two brothers, Gary and Phil, both toppermost footy stars for England & Man United, and now a sister, Tracey, who’s landing nuff points for the national netball side.
The last time there was such a successful sporting family, England were winning the World Cup and the Chalton baldie slap-with-slicked-over hair look was the height of fashion (sort of)! But if the Neville brothers can stay clear of injuries, it’s gonna be their family taking England into the next sportin’ millenium. But what have they gotta say themselves?
What is your one major ambition for the rest of this year?
Gary : “For Man United to win European Cup. It would be great to win the league too but to win in Europe would be wonderful.”
Phil : “I agree – winning the European Cup. It’s the biggest tournament you can win. People will always remember the United team of 1968 and hopefully people will remember us in just the same way.”
What’s the Neville family secret?
Gary : “It’s all about playing sport from a young age and practicing until you’re the standard where you can get picked for the national team.”
Phil : “We weren’t pushed as kids, we just worked hard. Me and Gary dedicated our lives to football and our sister Tracey did exactly the same with netball. If you want to succeed you’ve got to put your whole heart into it.”
Did Tracey play footy with you in the garden?
Gary : “Not really. We obviously played together when we were younger, but we never said, ‘Come and play football with us!’ She always played her own sports, netball and rounders, and I never played netball with her! Honest.”
Phil : “Tracey’s a goal shooter and she’s pretty good! She’s tall for a girl, which helps. We go along to watch her sometimes and give her our support.”
What other sports were you into when you were young?
Gary : ”I played cricket, but football was my first love. I went to Old Trafford when I was four and I still love watching the team now. As a crisketer I was mainly a batsman but I did bowl a bit too. Phil was probably a more successful cricketer – teams needed someone like him who scored runs and occupied the crease. I’d try and score my run quickly! "
Phil : “My first love is football too, but I did play cricket with Gary. I’m an opening batsman and I played to a decent level. I would still love to play now, even if it’s just for my club side in Bury, but football commitments mean that I can’t.”
If you could be another sportsman, who would you choose to be?
Gary : “I’d love to play in the top golf tournaments because I really admire Nick Faldo. I just think he’s fantastic , the way that he handles everything that’s thrown at him. It must be just like playing football, doing something you really enjoy and getting paid for it. Walking round the golf course being in charge of yourself must be a great feeling. I think he’s the best sportsman this country’s got.”
Phil : “I like Stephen Hendry in snooker and I used to enjoy watching Ian Botham. When you see someone performing like that it can inspire you.”
What character trait of each other’s do you most admire?
Gary : “It’s the determination that Phil shows and his temperament. You need those two attitudes if you’re gonna reach the very top.”
Phil : “Gary’s always had this determination to do well since we were little. He only ever wanted to play for Manchester United. I watched him and could only admire him when he made his United debut against Coventry a couple of season’s back.”
Do you hang around together outside footy?
Gary : “I’ve got my own bunch of friends and my girlfriend, and I like to do my own thing. We haven’t been away on holiday together since we were kids because you need time apart. That said, we see each other every day and Philip is actually my best friend! We’ve got similar interests.”
Phil : “We play golf and snooker together, but he’s got this own friends and I’ve got mine, and that’s the way we like it.”
Which United players have you learned the most from?
Gary : “Ryan Giggs. He came into the team at a young age and the manager rightly holds him up as a yardstick for how to deal with the press. He Handles everything perfectly yet is still the same lad he was when he signed for the club at 14.”
Phil : “Again I’d have to say Ryan for the way he’s handled things, but there are other people that you learn little things from – such as Steve Bruce when he was captain here.”