Sharp shooter: One on one with Defence Force striker Richard Roy

As a young boy, Richard Roy would kick plastic bottles to and from school and dream of becoming a professional footballer.

He was still a teenager when he made his first appearance for Defence Force in the TT Pro League. While, at 20, he made his international debut for the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team against Finland at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

The Defence Force Private sat down to chat One on One with Wired868:

Name: Richard Roy

Current Team: Defence Force FC

Position: Striker

Date of Birth: October 10, 1987

Home Town: Upper Belmont Valley Road, Chinatown, Belmont.

What school did you attend?

Belmont Boy’s RC at primary level, then I went on to Mucurapo Junior and Senior Secondary.

How would you describe yourself?

A loving, friendly, people person. I’m a team player and a hard worker.

What is something most people do not know about you?

I like to read a lot. Sports Magazines, coaching books, especially the (Dwight) Yorke book.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I like to train and I love spending time with my family. I have three sisters and one brother who lives in England. I also have a four year old nephew who plays football. He looks up to me as a role model.

What drives you to success?

Sheer hard work and dedication.

Who is your favourite player?

Wayne Rooney: He works hard, is a team player, scores a lot and motivates his team.

What is your favourite team?

Manchester United. They play good football and have won so many titles.

How did you start playing football?

I liked to kick bottles when I was heading to and from school. My dad, Owen Walters, would teach me about football and do his own coaching with me. He taught me the basics of the game. My family has been extremely supportive. I played football in both primary  school at 12 years old and then secondary school.

What is your earliest football memory?

I scored six goals against St Margaret’s Boys when I was in Belmont Boy’s RC during the Primary Schools Football League.

Are there any other sports that you play?

I also like cricket. I’m very good at batting and fielding and genuinely like the sport. But football is the best game in the world.

What makes you stand out as a player?

Hard work. My team looks up to me because of my experience. I bring value to the team and I believe in being a team player.

Who was your most influential coach?

That would be Marvin Gordon, coach for the Defence Force. He inspires the team. He keeps us motivated. Before each game, he gives the team a motivational speech.

Why play with Defence Force?

I joined the Defence Force youth team when I was 16 years and progressed on to the senior team. Football made me want to actually join the Defence Force. I joined in 2009.

What is your ambition?

To win as many titles in any league that I play in, and to continue to represent both Trinidad and Tobago and the Defence Force.

What is your best moment in football so far?

When I won MVP in the Pro League during 2011-2012 season. I scored 15 goals during that season. It was truly an outstanding season. I won the Most Goals title in most of the cups that year.

How far would you like to go in football?

I would like to one day play with Dundee United. I intend to eventually make contact with Dundee in the future. (I like) the Scottish Premier League and their style of football.

Any inspirational words?

Hard work and dedication achieve goals. The sky is the limit. With the right attitude and willingness to take instruction, you can achieve anything.

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Laurel Hunt

Laurel Hunt is a past pupil of Providence Girls Catholic School pursuing an Associate Degree in Journalism and Public Reations at COSTAATT. She also hopes to begin her Masters Degree in Business later this year. Hunt is currently a Business Analyst at a State Company and an intern at Wired868.