In the latest edition of ‘behind the shirt’ safc.com speaks to Australian stopper Oliver Pain…
What was it like growing up in Australia?
I was born there and I lived there until I was 15. I went to a school and played sport which I always enjoyed. I loved playing football to a point where I wanted to further myself so I moved to England with my family and it has turned out to be very successful.
How has the transition been since moving to the northern hemisphere?
It’s very different to Australia because everything here is much more advanced. The reason I like football in England is because it is far better than in Australia and there are far more opportunities to play football in England. As a kid in Australia everyone wants to move to England to play football and if you get the chance you are seen to be very fortunate, so I was very lucky that I found a place and the transition from Australia to England wasn’t too hard.
When you moved here you joined Crystal Palace’s academy, what was that like?
I really enjoyed it there and they gave me a fantastic opportunity. The first-team goalkeeping coach George Wood really helped me throughout my time there. He took me under his wing and constantly taught me things not just about how to be a goalkeeper but also how to grow up and be a man. Indirectly, he was not just a mentor footballing wise but in life as well. The rest of the coaching staff were great also and I found myself playing plenty of games.
Who is a great inspiration to you?
My family have always supported me and always been at the forefront of what I want to do. They have always pushed me and supported me so definitely my family. In terms of footballing role models I have always liked the former Manchester United goalkeeper like Edwin van der Sar. I used to watch him because he was so calm with everything and he had such a faultless manner. But coming to Sunderland everyone around me is so helpful – Jordan Pickford has said quite a few things to me in training and it’s just those little points you pick up from everyone that has been helped me develop.
What are your main assets?
I like to be loud and make sure everything is organised around me. I like to be brave, get down at people’s feet, try to be quick off my line and really try to prevent the ball getting to me in the first place. If you don’t touch the ball it doesn’t mean you haven’t been involved because you might come off the field exhausted from shouting, concentrating and talking to the players around you.
What aspirations do you have for the future?
I have always wanted to be a footballer but I have always had a plan B. It’s important to have something else just in case it doesn’t work out. I want a career and I want to be the best goalkeeper I can be. Only I will know if I am the best goalkeeper I can be because if I am not then I will feel like I still have something to give. I won’t be happy until I know I have done everything that I can to be the best player that I possibly can be.
