8 Remaining Grounded
Lynn: When Michael was 11 or 12 he was on Sky and different documentaries. It could affect the child, but Michael was level headed. His mates talked about it but Michael played it down. You don’t need to be arrogant to come through. If you’re good enough you’ll be able to come through.
Sometimes we’d go to watch him play football. Say on the Sunday. And the manager would come up and say there’s a scout over there who’s interested in talking to you. And that would get on my nerves sometimes. We’re just here to watch a game of football. And they knew he was contracted, but they try to take him from one club to another.
Vince: At the end of the day we went to watch a game of football and watch Michael play. But not to be pestered.
Lynn: I felt more embarrassed sometimes, even when Graeme was coming through. It’s nice but you feel embarrassed amongst the other parents. And maybe you shouldn’t feel embarrassed but you’re thinking we’re coming along we’re supporting the boys and they’re already connected elsewhere. We don’t really need this extra distraction. At least wait until the football is over. When you’re on your own. I used to take the flasks. Nothing better than at half time, the different flasks, 20p for a cup of coffee and a biscuit to fundraise for the team. That’s what I wanted to do, be that kind of parent.
Vince: It might sound daft but sometimes you’re looking at it and it’s just like a job. Same as a fitter, a turner, a welder. It’s just his job. Graeme’s an FA coach. Job. Doing what he’s doing. Job. And people think playing football is not a job. But it’s Michael’s job.
Lynn: This is the family way. That’s how we’ve always been. We’ve never changed it, everybody’s the same, just like normal. We like nothing better than to just mess about and just be ordinary people. And not think that you need special favours. We hate it when people say ‘ahhh! You’re the parents of Michael Carrick…’
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