You probably already know that TrustSTFC sponsors Joe Tomlinson. We caught up with him yesterday and asked some questions about his life as a professional footballer. Check out what he had to say!
Joe, we have ten questions, so get ready to tell us about yourself…
1) How has this season been from your perspective and do you think you’ll be here next season?
It’s been a tough season so far personally, I didn’t have the start of the season that I wanted and that unfortunately a couple of injuries have restricted my game time but I’m feeling really good now so I’m looking forward to having a great end to the season. I’m not sure if I’ll be a Swindon Town player next season. There is a set fee in my loan deal so if the club want to make it a permanent deal at the end of the season they need to pay that fee so unfortunately it’s out of my hands.
2) What’s your favourite moment or memory from your wider football career so far?
Making my debut in the Championship was a very special moment for me but of course scoring on both of my debuts for my home town club have to be my favourite moments in my career so far!
3) Who are some of your role models or favourite players?
For me Cristiano Ronaldo is my favourite player and my biggest football inspiration. The journey he has been on to become one of the greatest players of all time is something that inspires me to improve myself every day.
4) What’s your training routine like?
Usually we will have Sunday and Monday off after a Saturday game and then train Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday leading into the game on the Saturday. We will also have two gym sessions a week on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon
5) What are your hobbies or interests outside of football?
Outside of football I’m a big sport lover. I’m a fan of golf and I also love watching the NFL and MLB.
6) What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your football career, and how did you overcome it?
I’ve been released from a few clubs in my career, which never gets any easier but they have all helped me become the player I am today. Going from full-time to part-time football was especially difficult and it helped me to really realise how hard I was willing to work. I ended up in Wasdell’s factory just off Junction 16 (M4) packing chewing gum every day, but I kept believing in myself and worked even harder on improving my football, and thankfully it paid off. A couple of years later I was playing in the Championship and the club I was playing for used to give us packets of the gum that I used to pack in the factory. It was a meaningful reminder of how far I had come in my career.
7) Can you share a funny or interesting story from your time in football?
An interesting fact about me is that I have played in all of the top 7 leagues in England (apart from the Premier League… yet), which is pretty cool considering I’m only 22!
8) What are some things you’d like to accomplish in your career or even in life outside of football?
In my career I’d love to play in the highest league possible and win as many trophies as I can!
9) Can you share any advice for young people who want to pursue a career in football?
I would say to never give up and never stop believing in yourself. Even when you get knocked down you have to keep fighting for your dream. Someone is always watching.
10) What’s your message to Town fans?
Thank you so much for your support and the way you’ve welcomed me back to the club. Keep helping us on our play off push and hopefully we can bring you the good results that you deserve!
Joe was on the Talk of the Town podcast on BBC Wiltshire this week, hear it here
Joe recently visited Croft Primary School on behalf of the Trust as part of a joint initiative with the Swindon Town Community Foundation. You can read about it by clicking here.
He also recently helped us promote our voting share offering, read about that by clicking here