JAKE GALLAGHER didn’t have a problem getting time off work to travel to Jordan with England C – he runs a coaching company with his twin brother!
The Welling United midfielder came on as a second-half substitute to win his first international cap.
And it was also a chance to get away from his busy schedule.
“My twin brother, Josh, plays in the Ryman South with Chipstead,” Gallagher said. “He trains two evenings a week and I train three mornings so we share a breakfast club at a local school.
“I do a couple of mornings and he does a few. It’s more like babysitting really.
“We do after schools every day with ten to 20 kids at each session and then we both run our own Leatherhead youth team – he has the Under-14s and I’ve got the Under-15s.That’s twice a week and then games on a Sunday. One of the parents took control while I was here in Jordan and they won 3-0!”
Gallagher’s road to an international call-up has taken him from Fulham to Millwall and then onto Iceland before joining Welling last season.
But the 21-year-old admits he’s had to change his ways along the way.
“I had my first year pro at Millwall which was really exciting for me but I was out for about six months injured.
“Then I went on loan to Met Police and Staines and got sent off both times I went out. I was probably getting a bit worked up about a new contract and I took it into games.
“When I found out I wasn’t getting another contract I went to Iceland to play on a tiny island called Vestmannaeyjar.
“The football wasn’t great, the first-team manager didn’t like me and I ended up playing for the Under-19s and came home after two months. I got sent-off twice out there as well but I’ve calmed down now. I haven’t been sent off for Welling yet!
“I’ve worked on it massively. My dad and other people I speak to about my football said to me that I’ll ruin my career if I don’t stay on the pitch.
“Growing up has helped as well. I’ve realised I need to calm down and play my football. I’m doing that at Welling and loving it.”
Gallagher also loved his first England C experience.
“I didn’t expect the trip to be this amazing,” he said. “It’s nice to get away and play with some different players. Jordan were very sharp and ratted around us so it tough to play against and a great experience.”
