The Student Pocket Guide | Paul McVeigh Interview
So Paul… You started your professional career playing football in 1996 for Spurs at just 18 years old. Then you moved to Norwich in 2001 whilst playing for your home country Northern Ireland. What’s been your highlight in these past 10 years?
Making my debut at Spurs scoring my first goal at White Hart Lane against Coventry, and scoring at Old Trafford last year.
How do you compare playing International to Premiership to Championship football?
It gets slower the higher you go. An international footballer is a lot slower compared to even the Premier League. When you compare that to the 1st Division it’s like kick and rush.
Your only short and people have highlighted that in the songs the fans sing. Is this an advantage or disadvantage to your game?
Both. It’s definitely an advantage when playing against a lot bigger players. Because they're a little bit more agile than me, and then the disadvantage obviously in the air.
Is there anything you do or wear that brings you luck before a match?
Not really superstitious no.
A lot of girls dream to have a professional footballer as a hubby, who would be your ideal girl?
Pamela Anderson ever since I saw her in Bay watch.
The benefits of being a professional footballer are very obvious, however there must be some downsides…Give us a few!
My £50 notes can’t fit in my wallet… My diamond shoes don’t fit. That sounds terrible!
So we all know you play football twice a week, what do you do the rest of the week? play Fifa?
No… A lot of the boys play the computer games but I don’t really care about them. Normally just going round the City and as you can see in the house, it's taken up with the Piano and the Guitar.
What’s it like having 25,000 fans cheering for or against you?
It’s a big boost when ever they’re cheering for you except when they insult you and they sing the song about me. And against you it sorter inspires you because you want to beat them.
It must be great playing an attacking position and have the opportunity to sink the ball in the back of the net…and you’ve done that in style a few times. What’s the best goal or memory you have from scoring?
Against Millwall in the year we got promoted into the Premier League. I scored a left footed volley from about 20 yards into the far left corner.
Is football something you have always wanted to do? Or did your career decisions change as you got older?
I always wanted to go to University and study. But I’ve always wanted to be a footballer as well at the same time.
What do you think you would be if you wasn’t a footballer?
If you weren’t a footballer… Definitely an English teacher for you. (oops)
What’s your strangest football memory from on the pitch?
Northern Ireland training was pretty bad like, when ever I used to have to train, their was a factory behind and if you missed the goal the shots would go over and break the windows... It was shocking.
Have you ever had an over obsessive fan? If so what did they do?
Yes… One girl asked me for my hat and I said I wasn’t allowed to give it away. Malky Mackay came past and said “what do you want his hat?“ took it off my head and give it to her. She started crying. It was like…right
What’s the best thing you have ever bought with your wages?
An Aston Martin.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Either America or Ireland.
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