COUNTY GALLERY

Tyrone Toppar by Ray Taylor

      Ray Taylor

One of the most exciting players to burst onto the first team scene for several years has been TYRONE TOPPAR who celebrated his 18th birthday last month.

But although the Cardiff-born winger is ambitious to fulfil his potential he is also keen to take it a step at a time and continue his learning.

"The coaches at the Academy have been helping me build up my strength and giving me good feedback. They told me they hoped I would break through into the first team and it has been good experience."

Tyrone has already experienced success and had to cope with disappointment and setbacks. He first came to the attention of Cardiff City at the tender age of nine and he was associated with his hometown dub right through his school years.

He was desperately keen to be invited to take a scholarship with Cardiff and turned down offers of trials elsewhere to stick with City. Until the age of 15 his hopes looked like being fulfilled.

It was around this time he was called up for his country at schools international level and it was a very proud moment when he received his cap and represented Wales in the Victory Shield against the other home countries.

However he then had to come to terms with rejection when City did not offer the scholarship he hoped for.

"I thought I had a good chance but they felt I was not consistent enough in my final season. I was quite down at the time because I thought they knew my abilities."

Tyrone did not give up and went to Bristol Rovers for a trial earning himself a trip of a lifetime when he joined the Rovers youth team for a competition in China. He played three games in hot and humid conditions, watched by a few thousand and a television audience of seven million. When he returned he saw from the Internet that he had been named as player of the tournament.

However like many teenagers Tyrone's body struggled to cope with his growth spurt and he was forced to take a rest from football. This put his football ambitions on hold for a time though Roger Skyrme, our Youth Team manager, stepped in last summer and Tyrone was invited to join the Academy at Hartridge School, where he is studying for a B Tec in Sports Science. Roger's association with Fulham as a scout has provided further opportunities for the popular forward to show his potential.

"I have been to Fulham three times now and played for their youth team against a Hungarian side. I thought I did well and they have given me good technical feedback.

"There is no place at the moment but they will watch my progress."

Tyrone made the breakthrough into our first team, making an immediate impact on his debut, by helping set up our two goals against Weston. He went one better in the away clash a week, later by surprising himself with his first goal - from a header, not his usual method of scoring!

He has not yet full overcome the injury problems that hindered his progress and may need surgery in the summer, but he feels fit enough to make a contribution to the first team during the rest of  this season.

TYRONE'S TOP TEN

1 What was your best moment in football? "Receiving my Welsh Schools cap and playing in the Victory Shield."

2 What is the best stadium you have played in? "Priestfield Stadium Gillingham and the ones in China."

3 Who is your footballing hero? "Definitely Ryan Giggs."

4 Who has been the biggest influence on your career? "My parents."

5 What is your ambition? "To play at the highest level that my ability allows."

6 What is the best place you have visited? "China for the scenery."

7 What is your favourite music? "R & B and hip hop."

8 What is your favourite food? "Curry,"

9 Whose result do you look for first? "Manchester United's."

10 What is your second favourite sport? "Basketball."

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