The Interview: Bobby Zamora Meets Just Football

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora talks to Just-Football about his new role at Craven Cottage, West Ham, rumours of a move abroad and why East London is the place to be.

It is a warm, light, early summer’s day in the leafy suburbs of South West London, but within the confines of the Wandle Recreation Centre the mood is tense. Where earlier this group of young apprentices and trainee footballers were enjoying a light-hearted, friendly kickabout, the atmosphere has now turned serious. The ambience, once playful, is now strictly competitive. And the reason for this is because Bobby Zamora has just gathered everyone round and challenged them to a game of crossbar challenge.

“That’s it, that’s it!” Zamora enthuses as one youngster hits a promising shot narrowly over the bar. “He’s gone for it, he’s not pussyfooting about!!” asserts the Fulham striker as another apprentice blasts his shot inches too low. Laughing, joking, enjoying himself and clearly relating easily to this group of starry-eyed, aspiring footballers, I almost feel bad for having to pull the 6ft 1″ frontman aside for an interview!

But eventually, after missing his own effort, we manage to pin the man down. And with all the promising youngsters around it prompts Zamora to reflect on his own days as a trainee at Senrab, the London boys team famous for it’s conveyor belt of talent, which helped launch the careers of John Terry, Ledley King and Jermain Defoe, amongst others.

It’s a London thing

“They’ve created a lot of young players,” Zamora states when asked what makes the club so good at developing young players. “To be honest I think its just that East London is a hell of a lot better than anywhere else in the country!”

“No, no,” he laughs, “I don’t know really. I think we were just fortunate enough that a lot of good players were all in the same team you know. As a kid you grow up thinking if you’re lucky enough you’ll get that chance. There’s maybe one in a youth team that’s going to make it as a pro. But fortunately enough for us… I think there was a time when 4 of us were in the England Under 21s all together you know. It’s crazy to be playing Sunday League football and then a few years later you’re all playing for England together.”

As he contemplates the formative years that helped create Bobby Zamora the professional footballer, you get the feeling the former Tottenham striker considers these early days something of a golden age in his career, much like he does another chapter of his footballing life: his time at boyhood club West Ham United. Was it hard to leave Upton Park?

The Hammer and the Cottager

“Yeah it was very hard to leave. I loved every minute of it being at West Ham. The best single moment was scoring in the playoff final (in 2005 against Preston North End, to fire the Hammers into the Premier League), but saying that winning at Manchester United on the last day of the season to stay up in 2007 is also a magnificent memory.

“It’s a great club, I love them to bits. But things happen in football and the opportunity came along to go to Fulham and play some first team football so I jumped at the chance.”

It was a move he does not regret.

“For me, although I’m a striker my role has been slightly different at Fulham. I’m more involved in the build-up play and the defensive side of things sometimes too. The gaffer (Roy Hodgson) has us working very hard and I think it shows in our performances this season. I’m enjoying it.”

Now 28, Zamora has seen a lot over the course of an exciting and varied career that has taken him from the depths of the lower leagues to the glitz and glamour of the Premier League. Who are the standout players from his time in football, and who in the game does he hang out with when not training?

“Nathan Jones at Yeovil Town who I’ve know from my time at Brighton. I still speak to Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts, and Barry Hayles from my time at Bristol Rovers. Obviously John Terry and Ledley King are mates I still see and speak to also.”

“The best player I’ve ever played with though is Carlos Tevez,” he replies after taking a moment to think. “As for the best defender I’ve ever played against, I’ll have to say John Terry. Otherwise he’ll dig me out!” And his favourite ever goal? “Playoff final I think to be honest. Certainly in terms of importance. It was just a magnificent day for us,” he recalls, the depth of his feeling for the Hammers clearly reflected in his use of the word ‘us’.

A future in Spain?

Looking ahead to the future then and, interestingly, Zamora had encouraging words for foreign suitors in the wake of surprise reports linking the Fulham striker to Villarreal. “I’d love to play abroad at some stage,” he enthused. “Spain obviously is a technically amazing league and it would be lovely to play there.”

But for now Bobby Zamora’s focus is on Fulham. And having ruminated over the past, present and future of his career Zamora, a man clearly delighted to be involved with the sport professionally, had one last pearl of wisdom. “You know, the highs and lows of football make you a better person,” he reflects. “And I’ve absolutely loved it.”

And with that he is off again, cheerily launching himself straight into a 7-a-side game with the young hopefuls whose ultimate goal it is to follow in his footsteps.

Bobby Zamora was speaking at the launch of the new Under Armour football boots range. The Create Pro and Dominate Pro boots are part of a new line at Under Armour, available from July 2009. Zamora himself wears the UA Dominate Pro FG leather boot which i
s designed to provide power and control without compromising on foot protection and comfort.

Bobby Zamora, England, Fulham, Interviews, West Ham United