John's
rise to the top
John wants to play regularly in the
Premiership
Liberia-born striker Collins John says playing
professional football is "the best thing in the world." John, who
turned 19 this week, recently made his full international debut for
the Netherlands, the country he moved to as a political refugee at the
age of eight.
He also made a dream move from FC Twente to
Fulham in the English Premiership in January.
John, born in Zwedru near the Ivory Coast
border, made his debut for the Dutch in a friendly against Sweden in
late August and has since remained part of new coach Marco van
Basten's plans.
"I had goose flesh when I was
standing [the touchline] by to make my international debut.
To be a professional footballer is the best thing
in the world said Collins John. "There I was, just 18 years old, and
wearing the orange shirt [of Holland]. It's not normal what has
happened to me because I have only been a professional for 18 months,"
John said in his interview with the magazine Voetbal International.
"When my mother and brother phoned to
congratulate me, I realized how lucky I have been. Believe me, to be a
professional footballer is the best thing in the world."
John, who netted four goals in eight
matches for Fulham at the end of last season, was forced to flee
Liberia after his father was killed during the civil war in the West
African country.
His mother took him and three siblings on a boat
to the Netherlands where they spent two years in a refugee centre.
I have a Dutch passport and really feel like a
Dutchman said Collins John. As a young boy John was coached by Romeo
Zondervan, the Dutch player who was a favorite at another English club
Ipswich Town.
He made it clear early on that he had no desire to play
for the Liberia's national team who are currently struggling in the
2006 World Cup qualifiers.
"I have a Dutch passport and really feel like a
Dutchman. But at the end of the day I am still an African, with roots
in Liberia. I'd like to go back one day and look at the place."
But John now wants to concentrate on cementing a place in the
Holland side and playing regularly action in the English Premiership.
"I want to score at least 15 goals this season."
"And once my contract at Fulham is over [it runs
through until 2008], I want to go to a bigger stage," added the
confident teenager.
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