Ramsdale: Getting the love back into my game is massive
Just over three months ago Aaron Ramsdale was spotted wearing a full Hagrid costume amongst the fans at Wembley Stadium, as Southampton lifted the Championship Play-Off trophy.
The England goalkeeper was there not only to support his friend and former Bournemouth teammate David Brooks, but also to carry on a unique tradition amongst schoolmates.
“A group of my friends, we all play football and there’s a couple of lads who don't, we've been twice before to watch our friend Harvey Gilmore play for Tranmere and Halifax," he said. "Both times we've done fancy dress.
“The first time we were Teletubbies, and then the second time we were WWE wrestlers. So me and Brooksy were Hulk Hogan and Kane, old school Kane. This time, obviously, when David got to the play-off final with Southampton, that was no brainer, we were all going to go down.
“It was about 10, 12 of us dressed as Hagrid, Voldemort. We had like two Harry Potters, a couple of wizards, Dumbledore. The day was fantastic for the football club and for us because although he got injured, at the end of the day I had a massive smile on my face and he had a massive smile on his.”
Very few of the 90,000 in attendance that day would have predicted on 'Hagrid' playing for the fans who were celebrating to the tune of Freed from Desire at full time.
Ramsdale concurs: “To be honest, if you'd have asked me at the end of May if I'd have been sat here having a conversation as a Southampton player, I'd have said you'd probably crazy, but that day was a huge moment for the club. A huge moment for me because I watched one of my best friends get promoted at Wembley, and now I'm here, I'm part of it.
“The manager is full on enthusiasm, has great attributes as a coach, and what he wants to do is unbelievable. The lads seem to be able to act in a group, and hopefully I can add a little bit of experience and talent and help us win games of football.”
Despite being young for a goalkeeper at 26, he boasts more than 150 games in the Premier League alone. Not to mention Champions League and Europa League minutes, alongside five caps for his country.
But the key for Ramsdale is mixing his own experience with that already in the dressing room at St Mary's.
“They all have completely different experiences to me as well," he said. "They've had the experience of winning something. So the boys who came up last year have that feeling of winning high pressured games, playing at Wembley when it's the most expensive game in football or whatever they quote it.
“I feel like I'm just adding a small cog to the big engine. Everyone's going to bring something to the table. It might be up to a couple others to try and bring standards or making sure that we're on it every single day whilst having a good time as well.
“So yeah I've got experience but I can also still be learning. I'm still a young man at 26 so hopefully I can learn something from the staff and the players. But I'm looking forward to helping others, older or younger.”
For Ramsdale, this move isn't just about gaining the regular minutes he’s so craved for the past season or so, it’s also about getting back the joy for the game he’s loved since a young age.
“I started my football journey for the love of playing,” he said with a look of nostalgia. “Getting dirty, trying to get as much dirt on my kit as I possibly could to make my mum's job harder. I loved just playing anywhere I could. On the street, in the park, in goal, outfield.
“So for me to get that love back into my game was massive and, as I said, the manager's enthusiasm breeds confidence and enjoyment and just pure life around the place. So I think it was a great fit for me.
“I've had the feeling of sitting on the bench and I don’t want to do that again. Playing football, winning games of football, even getting draws away from home against big opposition or when your back’s against the wall. When you see the fans' faces at the end and you know the joy it brings and also the joy it brings the squad on Monday morning after a scrappy late win away from home or a really grinded-out win against a tough opponent.
“It’s something you live for and that's just something I'm looking forward to this year. Just getting back to what I do best and just having a big smile on my face while doing it here.”
