Manchester United fan Joe Ralls relishing prospect of upsetting Liverpool in ... - WalesOnline
TURN back the clock two years and Joe Ralls was in football fan heaven watching his Manchester United heroes beat Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Wind forward another year and Ralls admits he was "star-struck" when Craig Bellamy joined a Cardiff City youth-team training session.
Fast forward another 12 months, and the Aldershot-born teenager is set to cap a meteoric rise by walking out at Wembley.
Again, Liverpool – and Bellamy – are on the agenda and taking home a Carling Cup winner's medal would be sweet for Ralls on both a personal and professional level.
"I'm a Man United fan, so I'll be leaving my foot in a little bit!" joked the 18-year-old midfielder in his first major newspaper interview.
Hailing from Hampshire, the cynics would suggest that Ralls was born to be a United supporter.
After all, it's a 430-mile round trip from Aldershot to Old Trafford!
But Ralls is no armchair fan, he's put in the motorway miles and got the memories to show for it.
"I travelled up there when I was a young lad. Me, my dad and my brothers are all big United fans.
"Liverpool is always a big game. I went to a United-Liverpool game a few years ago.
"Torres scored, but we ended up winning 2-1 at Old Trafford, it was a good day out."
Now Ralls is hoping for another one next Sunday as he continues his love affair with a competition which kick- started his career.
For it was back in August, with Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay keen to run the rule over young talent at the club, that he got the chance to impress at Oxford.
Even now – 13 appearances, one goal and plenty of plaudits later – Ralls finds the build-up to that first-round Carling Cup tie slightly surreal.
"A few of the young lads went up for training before the Oxford game," recalled Ralls.
"It was ideal to get to know a few lads before the game, but it was still nerve-racking travelling up with them.
"I was on the bench, but I came on after about an hour, and with the game going into extra-time, I had a good few minutes on the pitch.
"To be on the same pitch as someone like Peter Whittingham was brilliant, because I saw a lot of the players the year before."
Bellamy, in his one season at his hometown club, was even more up close and personal, as the former Wales captain worked his way back to full fitness after injury.
Even in this situation, Bellamy's will-to-win shone through, the Cardiff youngsters soon realising the striker was treating the session as seriously as if it were a big Premier League match.
"He (Bellamy) was shouting and screaming at the boys – but in a good way," smiled Ralls.
"The lads all enjoyed it, but, to be honest, I was a bit star- struck at the time.
"We had a good youth side, but the standard rose a few levels when Craig was in that situation with us."
Signed by Cardiff after making swift progress at Farnborough Town, Ralls quickly adapted to life as a Bluebird.
After Carling Cup run-outs against Oxford and Huddersfield, there was that sensational strike on his Championship bow when he replaced the injured Kenny Miller in the opening few minutes at Hull.
His first Championship start came at Millwall in December, and Mackay had so much faith in him that he began the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at Crystal Palace.
"At the start of the year I just thought I'd knuckle down and just try to do better than last year," said Ralls, who has now made seven starts in all competitions. But it's been unbelievable really. I've come on in leaps and bounds.
"The Carling Cup is good for a lot of young players, as it's a great chance for clubs to give young lads an opportunity.
"It was a great break for me and I should thank the Carling Cup really, because it did give me my opportunity.
He added: "I feel comfortable now whereas I used to feel nervous every morning just going to training.
"Now, it's the norm and I'm relaxed around the place.
"You don't want to try too hard, but you want to show the manager and the fans every time you get the chance that you can settle in.
"It's about keeping the ball moving and I've been happy with most of my performances.
"I love the city and my family love coming up here and watching the games.
"It's a brilliant club and I'm enjoying my football – I just can't believe you've got to pay £6 to get here to training (the University of Glamorgan Sport Park, Treforest).
"I wasn't happy about that, I must admit."
And Ralls was even less enthralled by a recent motorway accident which has currently left him without wheels.
"It was in icy conditions on the M4 and it did scare me a little bit, it wasn't the greatest experience I've had," he said.
"The car was a write-off and I'll be getting the train next time. Luckily, Joe Mason lives near me, so he's taking me into training every day."
On what he describes as his "unbelievable journey", it's the only time Ralls has put a foot wrong all season.
l Joe Ralls was speaking at the official opening of Cardiff City's new Academy Pavilion at the University of Glamorgan Sport Park, Treforest.
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