My dad was EFL club mascot, now I’ve got first England call-up and getting advice from future father-in-law Roy Keane
An England star has opened up on his unlikely source of career advice in football, which just so happens to be Roy Keane.
Keane built a fearsome reputation as a tough-tackling midfielder for Manchester United and played a key role in helping the Red Devils win 17 trophies during his 12 years at the club.
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But for Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who received his first senior England call-up, Keane is much more than just a sounding board for his career.
That’s because Keane is Harwood-Bellis’ future father-in-law.
The Southampton defender recently got engaged to Keane’s daughter, Leah, and soaks up every morsel of information the United icon provides him.
“It’s something that is good, yes, and I take a lot of advice,” Harwood-Bellis said.
However, the 22-year-old conceded he has yet to broach the subject of Sunday’s game, which pits England against Ireland, who Keane won 67 caps for.
“No, everything is focused on Greece at the minute,” Harwood-Bellis said.
“It’s a big game after the result at home. Obviously we want to go over there and get a result.
“It will be a good atmosphere and a full house. We are looking forward to it and take the challenge on.”
Although Harwood-Bellis is about to enter another footballing family, he hails from one himself.
His uncle Steve is the president of Harwood-Bellis’ hometown club, Stockport County.
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Harwood-Bellis also knew the secret identity of the club’s mascot, ‘Vernon Bear’.
That’s because it was his father, Martin, underneath.
“He did it for a good time, to be fair,” Harwood-Bellis said.
“It wasn’t just a one-time thing. He was the bear. It was sad to see him stop doing that, to be fair.”
Luckily for Harwood-Bellis, there is a strong sense of familiarity in the senior England set-up.
The defender was in interim England boss Lee Carsley’s Under-21 squad that won the European Championship last summer.
Additionally, seven of his U21 teammates from that tournament are in the senior England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and Ireland.
“I know the boys on a good level,” Harwood-Bellis said.
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“The lads that played in the Euros, I spent a lot of time with them. They make it a little bit easier on a personal level but everyone has been really welcoming and once you get on the pitch it is all fine.”
Harwood-Bellis’ first chance to earn a senior England cap arrives on Thursday when the Three Lions take on Greece, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm.
