When he took to football at the age of seven, it did not take long for Stephen Bywater to realise where he felt comfortable.
“I’m from a family of goalkeepers, both my dad and granddad were goalkeepers. My dad played for Leeds and my grandfather for Luton Town which was one of the best teams in the country at that time,” the Englishman, the new Kerala Blasters goalkeeper in the Indian Super League, told The Hindu at the Crowne Plaza here on Saturday. “Goalkeeping runs in my blood, it’s a passion.”
The Blasters had a goalkeeper, former World Cupper David James, as its marquee player in the ISL’s first edition last year, and the Englishman did a good job carrying the team to the final.
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Will that put pressure on Bywater? “I think the only pressure in life is tyre pressure,” said the former under-21 England star in jest, almost brushing away the worry. “I’m here to be myself, I’m here to play well. Last season was last season.”
Two things influenced the 34-year-old’s arrival in India. “The big attraction to come to India is the gaffer (Peter Taylor). In England, he’s a very talented and respected coach,” said Bywater, who played for the Premier League clubs, Derby and West Ham United, in the late nineties and mid-2000.
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“Before coming here, I spoke to Stephen Pearson (the Blasters’ central midfielder last year) and he said this was an amazing club, amazing tournament, and he was a big influence in me coming here. So, it’s first the gaffer and then Stephen Pearson.”
But, there was a bit of a shock when he landed in the country.
“I could not drink tap water! But I think the Indian people are very nice. The weather was hot but that’s not the problem now. I see a big passion for football here, I love that. I thought it would be cricket here.”
Bywater, who became a pro at 17 and who grew up with stars like Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard at West Ham, has 120 clean sheets from 352 matches in his club career.
He is thrilled with the tremendous support for the Blasters here. “The support for the team is huge here. Not many English teams have this support. I’m grateful to be here, I want to enjoy, and enjoy it by winning.”