Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite says he considered giving up on football as a teenager when he was sidelined for 18 months with tendonitis, but believes his parents' persistent encouragement saved his career.
Branthwaite has been called up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium after an excellent season with the club so far.
But speaking at St George's Park on Wednesday afternoon, Branthwaite revealed he had suffered long-term knee problems as a teenager and feared he would have to give up the game.
Branthwaite's boyhood club Carlisle United offered him a four-week trial to see if he was fit enough to earn a scholarship. However, Branthwaite proved his suitability and soon thereafter earned a professional contract, broke into League Two's first team, and was sold to Everton in January 2020.
“I had tendonitis in my knee,” Branthwaite said. “I was out for 18 months and couldn't run. That was when I was 15. [Carlisle] They weren't going to give me a scholarship. I was given a 4 week trial period basically to see if I wanted it enough. ”
But after his dismissal, Mr Branthwaite questioned whether a four-week trial was right for him.
“If it wasn't for my mom and dad, I probably wouldn't have continued,” Branthwaite said. “In my mind I was thinking, 'If they don't need me now, what will happen in four weeks?'
“But my dad gave me a training program and I stuck with it and that helped me get a scholarship. Within a couple of months, I signed my first professional contract. It has been concluded.”
It was a difficult time for Branthwaite, a teenager who wanted nothing more than to play football.
“I couldn't participate in any sports at school,” he says. “There was a long period of not being able to do anything sports-wise. And you can imagine what that's like for someone who likes to participate in any sport. It was a tough time. But… I think it made me stronger as a person.”
Branthwaite admits that as a teenager he never planned on giving up the game he loved.
“I didn't plan anything,” he said. “When I was younger, all I wanted to do was play football, football, football. And [the tendonitis] happened. I didn't know where to go. So my dad interjected and basically said, “Okay, we've made it through four weeks.” [trial]”
For that reason, Branthwaite is especially grateful to his parents for pushing him through the legal battles to win a scholarship to Carlisle University and forging a career that is still on the rise.
“My father wanted me to give it my all, not stop at the first hurdle. If he hadn't done that, I probably would have stopped at the first hurdle and I wouldn't be where I am today. That's why I had him thank me with my mother.”
even deeper
England defender rating for Euro 2024: Problems at left-back, but does Maguire still deserve to start?
(Michael Regan/Getty Images)
