I would love to play in the Premier League, says ambitious Legge

Sunday 18th July 2010

AMBITIOUS defender Leon Legge says he will put in the hard work to fulfil his dream of reaching the top-flight of English football, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Brentford ace, 25, returned to his former club yesterday as the Npower League One outfit were held to a goal-less draw against a Tonbridge Angels side that are one of the sides expected to be in contention to land the Ryman Premier League title at the end of the season.

Angels boss Tommy Warrilow sold the former Lewes defender to the west London club last summer for an undisclosed fee and said in the build up to the game that “I personally think there’s centre halves playing at the highest level that do things that Leggy is more than capable of doing.”

Legge has visited Longmead Stadium on more than one occasion, but he had to wait 66 minutes until he came off the bench in the Angels’ opening pre-season friendly.

Level-headed Leon proudly presented Warrilow a signed number 32 Brentford shirt after the game, which the Kent club will display at Longmead Stadium.

Legge’s first season in professional football couldn’t have gone any better. He admitted yesterday to www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he feared being loaned out but he took the bull by the horns and impressed during his 33 first team appearances, where he scored 3 goals, and went on to clinch the player-of-the-year award and an extended and better contract.

“It’s been a strange year to be fair, it couldn‘t have gone any better.” said the towering defender.

“At the time I thought I was going to go out on loan then ever since I got my first start, I’ve not looked back ever since really.

“I played 29 games on the trot and won player-of-the-season.”

Legge is prepared to put in the hard graft at the training ground and in League One games to fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League.

When told about Warrilow’s top-flight comments, Legge replied, “It’s a nice comment and everything but you don’t just get there, you’ve got to work at it and I’d love to.

“I watch Match of the Day and stuff like that and I’d love to be out playing at Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. It would be a great experience.

“Every young footballer would love to play at the top level and it’s no different for me. I’d love to be there as well.”

Legge heaped praise on Angels boss Warrilow - who himself spent a season in the Football League with Torquay United - for guiding him during his time in west Kent.

“Tommy is a great coach and he’s got a good squad for this season,” he said.

“There’s a few different lads from the last time I was here, but Tom’s been trying to get promotion for the last couple of seasons, so hopefully this could be his season, you never know!”

And he is so pleased for former team-mate Lee Minshull, who sealed a two-year professional contract with AFC Wimbledon this summer.

“I still speak to Minsh as well and when I heard about the deal I did text him and phone him up and see how he’s getting on,” said Legge.

“I know he scored against Charlton the other week and got man-of-the-match and I think they like him already.

“You can’t really tell much about pre-season, it’s mainly about fitness. The manager gets his squad together for a season and I’m hoping for him he’s going a long way as well, having played with him as well. He’s a good lad and he works hard. Hopefully he does well.”

Legge confirmed that he moved from his Sussex home at Bexhill-on-Sea to be nearer to Brentford and now he is enjoying the lifestyle.

“I had to give up my job, I was a care worker for adults with learning disabilities and I had to give that up,” reflected Legge.

“I moved from Bexhill-on-Sea and I live up in west London now to be nearer to training. It makes it a lot easier as I don’t want to be up and down the M25 everyday.

“I’m enjoying it, who wouldn’t want to play football everyday and get paid for it and play in front of good crowds and support.

“The difference (between Ryman Premier and League One football) is the fitness, physically and mentally, especially when you’re playing in front of quite a few thousand a week, playing at Leeds with 29,000 there is a lot different playing in front of 400 people!

“I’m playing for a very good team and hopefully we’ll have another good season.”

Unfortunately for Tonbridge, they didn’t receive a transfer fee from AFC Wimbledon, who snapped up Minshull on a Bosman free-transfer, after an excellent season, where he scored 17 goals from midfield last season.

The former Ramsgate star was in attendance at Longmead Stadium, having missed AFC Wimbledon’s 1-0 home defeat to Millwall on Friday night, due to an problematic toenail.

“I’m extremely grateful to Tommy really,” the 24-year-old told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I had an enjoyable season last season and once I knew we had the game on the Friday, last night, I just popped up here to say hello to everyone really and they all look quite good.

“I think Tommy’s made some great signings, people I’ve played against in the past and a few of them have won this (Ryman Premier) League before. There’s a bit of experience in there as well, Peter Hawkins and people like that, so hopefully they’ll go up.”

When asked about his first weeks with now full-time outfit AFC Wimbledon, Minshull said: “It’s good. It’s been quite enjoyable. I couldn’t wish for any more from the first 45 minutes that I played.

“It’s been really enjoyable and a bit of a change from not working and obviously it’s a good change.”

When asked if he had taken a pay-cut to become a professional footballer with the Blue Square Bet Premier giants, Minshull replied, “A little bit! I had my football money and my wages from work, but it’s a better lifestyle isn’t it?”

But knowing present AFC Wimbledon strikers, Danny Kedwell and Jon Main, has helped Minshull to settle in quickly.

“I’ve been travelling up with them so that always makes it easier getting to know a few people,” said the box-to-box midfielder.

“Danny’s from where I’m from - we both grew up in Gillingham way - and obviously Jon Main as well coming from here, made that a little bit easier as well.”

Minshull also heaped praise on Warrilow, who promised him he would improve his game.

The fans’ favourite said: “When I signed he said he’d make me a better player, what he wanted me to do and things like that, but at the time you think he’s just saying that to get you to sign.

“But he’s good as gold really. I owe a lot to him and Canty (former assistant Cliff Cant). Canty’s not here anymore obviously (due to work commitments), but he was a big help to me as well. Last season was probably the best season out of my career, really, really enjoyable.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk