CALLUM WILSON does not need it pointed out that his winter break from goal-scoring could cost him a Euro 2020 spot.
The Bournemouth striker knows better than anyone just how damaging a 15-game barren run in the Premier League could be — and is now doing everything he can to catch the eye of Gareth Southgate.
Callum Wilson’s lack of goals are nothing compared to previous hardshipsCredit: Bournemouth News
Representing his country at a major finals would mean more to the 27-year-old than most, given the adversity he has faced both in football and life.
Professionally, Wilson has had to scrap in non-league and overcome two serious knee injuries. Personally, he spent a small part of his childhood in foster care and at times used food banks.
Yet, ironically, those experiences have given him the tough exterior needed to deal with disappointment, which he may need if he does miss out this summer.
The England star said: “Having that kind of upbringing and those things happen to me as a kid, it’s made me a little bit less emotional.
“For example, when people pass away I won’t cry.
The Bournemouth ace has been through foster care and food banksCredit: Reuters
“My partner Stacey says I have a cold heart. Growing up, having cried so much, it has made me a stronger person.
“You don’t realise how strong you are until you’re put in different situations, I guess. Being injured for nine months, it felt like a breeze to me mentally — nothing was really too difficult.”
Wilson spoke of his childhood in an interview shortly after receiving his first England call-up 15 months ago.
It saddened his mother Tara that he went public about an experience she did not want him and his five siblings to go through.
But this is his story and he has a right to tell it, as he did in more detail with SunSport at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium this week.
The ex-Tamworth and Kettering loanee recalled: “Domestic violence at home put us in that position. It was out of my mum’s hands — she was in hospital.
“We got taken away by social services. I can’t remember the people we lived with. We went to this house, they said ‘You’re going to be living here for a while’.
“Then we moved to another house. Me and my brother got separated. Then I lived with my auntie for a while. Then my mum saw me when she shouldn’t have. It was all just a big mess, really.
“We got taken back away again. It was a case of my mum not wanting us to be in that situation. She was in an abusive relationship and that was the result of it.
“I can’t remember how old I was. Subconsciously, I think I’ve blocked it all out.
“My missus says I can never remember anything as a kid. I always say, I put a line through anything that happened back then.”
Wilson is ready to cement his place in England’s Euro 2020 squadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Wilson guesses he was five or six, as he was living back with his mum by the time he began his football journey aged nine.
That path has led him to the brink of a major tournament — and the eye-watering wealth of a £100,000-a-week Premier League contract.
But he never wants to forget his roots or have his children take their privilege for granted, often taking seven-year-old son Oritse and two-year-old daughter Orlagh back to the modest surroundings in Coventry where he grew up.
The forward jumped at a chance two years ago to help out at a local food bank in Bournemouth, having benefited from them as a kid.
The four-cap ace said: “I have a vague memory of a guy from the local church or Samaritans knocking on the door with a crate of tinned food around Christmas.
“The thing I would take out of them would be tinned peaches. You don’t realise at a young age what is actually happening.
“My mum would never make me aware that someone needed to bring us food. As I got older, I went to the food bank and understood how people get that food, who it goes to and how it helps.”
A year later, Wilson and team-mate Junior Stanislas — who also had a tough upbringing — bought hundreds of sleeping bags and warm clothing for the homeless.
Keeping perspective seems to be a regular theme in Wilson’s life.
Gareth Southgate will be keeping a close eye on Wilson after injuries to Marcus Rashford and Harry KaneCredit: PA:Press Association
His desire to be the father he never had helps him leave his work frustrations at the door when he comes home.
Which has been no mean feat this season, given he went without a shot on target for three months.
But escaping football is impossible, given the ambitions of Oritse, who is in Bournemouth’s academy.
Wilson added: “I would never pressure him to be a footballer. He seems to be going down that route, though.
“He’s a winger who has inherited my pace — he has a better left foot than me!
“My dad wasn’t around, so I want to be the best dad I can to them and give them the best life possible.”
Wilson is sure the Cherries will still be a Premier League club next season, having come through a run of ten defeats in 12 — and with key players returning from injury.
Beating Brighton last month when it was “s*** or bust” was key in restoring confidence.
And now their talisman is back in the goals with the twin targets of firing the club to safety and himself to the Euros, the Cherries go to Burnley today a different team.
But whatever happens, Wilson will deal with it.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
