English making a name for himself at Shelbourne

SHELBOURNE FC grabbed the headlines recently with the surprise signing of Stephen Elliott, a striker with nine senior international caps. But the day after that signing was announced, James English scored a hat-trick against Waterford United to add to the two goals he bagged against Athlone Town four days earlier. Elliott was going to have to work for his place in the team.

Having joined Shelbourne mid-season last year to add firepower to their promotion push in the SSE Airtricity League First Division, English featured regularly in the first team and scored five goals in 13 games as Shels fell just short of a play-off place. He showed good form in pre-season and the goals have started to come now in the league.

“All it is is hard work. I just focused on my football and knuckled down and now the luck is coming my way. That’s all you need, you just need that slice of luck and when you hit one you start to hit a few,” said English.

Asked about Stephen Elliott, he is clearly excited at the prospect of playing with a player with both international and Premier League experience.

“It is great to have Stephen’s experience around the club because we are  a young team,” he said. 

Prior to joining the Tolka Park club, English was part of the Republic of Ireland Amateur International squad which he believes was a key part of getting into the Shelbourne set-up. 

Also, English joined up with Ayrfield United in the AUL Premier ‘A’ for the 2012/2013 season and managed by ex-Shelbourne players Robbie Hedderman and Alan Keely, he grew in self-belief.

“Robbie and Alan always gave me good support. They always told me I was ready for the next step but just needed that break,” he said.

The next season took him to AUL Premier ‘A’ rivals Kilbarrack United where he rekindled some of his best form, scoring 25 goals in the season.

Last season, English returned to his schoolboy club Darndale FC where he rediscovered the fun of the game.

“I went back and enjoyed playing with my friends. We won the league and cup and it was all a great buzz,” he said. 

A Manchester United fan, English hopes Jose Mourinho replaces current Red Devils boss Louis Van Gaal, but not before Wayne Rooney leads them to FA Cup glory.

English, nicknamed ‘Burbok’ because of his inability to pronounce a neighbour’s surname, ‘Murdock’, when he was a young boy, feels it will be an incredibly tough task to catch Limerick who have a massive points advantage at the top of their division.

However, experiences like their recent penalty shootout win against arch rivals and Premier Division side Bohemians in the cup will give them the hunger needed to battle for the play-off spots once again.

“It was a great experience for the team and the club because we haven’t beaten them in so long and now we are in the next round against Rovers, it is just brilliant,” he added.

REPORT: Brein McGinn