Name - Mohammed Farhan Subhani
Current Club - Eccleshill United
Previous Clubs – Rochdale AFC, Steeton, Route One Rovers

Tell us about how and why you got involved in playing football?

I used to spend the days with a small indoor ball with my brother kicking it about the house. This made me go from indoors to outdoors where I was playing for fun, just enjoying having the ball and copying things I’d see on YouTube. Playing football was an everyday thing and it wasn’t until an uncle of mine watched us all in the garden to push my dad and get me into a local club where the story just began. 

What do you enjoy about playing football?

On that pitch I feel like I’m me. I don’t need to hide away from anything and don’t need to shy away. I find it to be my safe place where everything else is ignored and just get a ball at my feet and I’m in the zone. I enjoy winning firstly but also enjoy the skill and competitive nature of football. 

What is your best memory of playing?

I don’t think there’s a certain memory because I’ve been part of some great teams and success stories but my time at Rochdale was an unreal experience. I experienced numerous highs there especially in the floodlit cup beating the likes of Manchester United. 

What do you want to achieve in playing football?

I want to make the best out of my career and try and go as high as possible whilst always improving and enjoying playing the game. In addition to this, I want to create a pathway and show people that there’s somewhere to go if you believe you are good enough to get there. 

What are the biggest obstacles you have faced in playing football?

My biggest obstacles were being told I was too short to play CM in football which was something out my control. In addition to this, it’s been an obstacle to get confident and speak to people in a new team or trying to mix in. I feel I have developed this skill and earned respect from people due to my football ability which makes it easier for me to develop relationships and not feel either left out or I’m not a part of this team. 

Who’s had the biggest influence in your playing football career and why?

I don’t think I can pigeonhole this to one specific person and feel there’s a huge range of people that have influenced me in my career. My parents have always been there, pushed me had the late nights and the early mornings. I’ve had my family members such as uncles, brothers and cousins talk to me about football, tell me where I’ve gone wrong, what I should’ve done in certain situations, build me to be a character who’s not afraid of expressing himself and standing up to people. I’ve had my coaches teach me the technical side and tactical side to improve my game and those around me. My teammates are the ones that make me a better player to as they complement how I play and attempt to play to my strengths. I don’t think I can say one specific person but feel my parents pushed me on and the rest added to what they started. 

What advice would you give to people wishing to get involved in playing football?

Football isn’t for one certain person; it is for everyone. Everyone is at different abilities but it’s about getting the best out of how you play and feeling content with your performance every time you step off that pitch whilst trying to improve for the next time. It’s not just about the performance but the skills of life that comes with it. It’s not about who thinks you’re good enough, it’s about how good you think you are!