Interview: Scott Dewey
Manchester United's Tom Heaton will be spending the 2008/2009 season with FA Cup finalists Cardiff City. We caught up with Tom to get to know him, to get his thoughts on his time at United and his hopes for his time at Cardiff City.
Here is the first part of our interview with Tom, as the loan 'keeper prepares for a season at Ninian Park.
City: We know that you will be spending the 2008/2009 season with Cardiff. Were there any other interested clubs?
Heaton: I think there was yes. My agent spoke to them, but I think all things considered, that Cardiff was definitely going to be the best opportunityfor me. The club has got a big ambition this season and plays a good bit of football and that's why I wanted to go there.
City: What are you aiming to achieve at your time with Cardiff?
Heaton: Well first and foremost my aim is to certainly play. I'm coming here looking to be the number one at the club - that's definitely my aim. Then after that, once the season gets going it's to push for promotion, and having spoken to the manager earlier on in the summer and everything he said - and having spoken to the chairman, I think the whole club is looking for promotion and I'm certainly no different.
City: You were loaned out to Swindon for part of the 2005/2006 season. What memories and experiences did you take from that?
Heaton:Well it was a fantastic time for me, although I was actually there for just 6 months. I played 20 games and was only 19 at the time, but it was a great learning experience for me. It was the highs and lows of playing in front of a crowd every week, as at that age I think you definitely need that.
I learned a lot of things, not so much skills, but more of the practical side of it. You know - how to handle playing every week and the games come thick and fast. I took a lot out of it and it was a great experience.
City: You've also been involved in England under 21 squad. What has that been like as an experience in the international setup and working with the likes of Stuart Pearce?
Heaton: Yeah, it's been fantastic this season. I was fortunate enough to play for the under 16's, under 17's, under 18's and under 19's - so I knew quite a lot of the lads when I went down there anyway. I got the under 21 call up and Stuart Pearce was fantastic. I was lucky enough to get on against Poland for the second half and it was great to get a cap. It's been a good experience so far, so I'm looking to carry that on and hopefully get a few more games under my belt.
In part two Tom talks about his early playing days, football heroes, his Manchester United upbringing and more. Check back on Friday to read more on our new loan signing.
