Soccer Banter recently caught up with Anton Peterlin, an American currently playing for League One Side, Walsall FC. Peterlin first made headlines in 2009 when he moved from Ventura County Fusion of the Premier Developmental League in USL to Everton Football Club. After one-year at Everton, Peterlin moved to Plymouth Argyle for the 2010-11 season. He made 12 appearances for Plymouth before signing with Walsall this past summer. He is involved in another relegation fight with Walsall, who are currently in 20th place in League One, one point out of the relegation zone.
Soccer Banter: You are enjoying your most successful year in England, with 20 starts for League One side Walsall, what do you attribute your success to this year?
Anton Peterlin: I have found a good form and enjoy the manager Dean Smith. He has confidence in me and it shows in my play.
SB: In your three years in England, you have seen the highs and lows of professional football in the 21st century - life in the premiership with Everton, Plymouth going into administration and being relegated from League One, and now this season another relegation battle with Walsall. Describe the past three years in England and the transition from a Premier League club to League One?
AP: Well they have been very good years in the UK. Yes we were relegated at Plymouth last year, but it wouldn't have been if we didn't go into administration. i mean the Premiership is a different ball game than the football league. Even though Everton isn't the riches of clubs, they have a top training facility and great support. The training sessions were amazing and the standard was very high. League one on the other hand is very physically demanding and hard, but different. There is more time in the Premiership at times, but you have to be fully concentrated because if you make mistakes at the top they don't go unpunished.
Soccer Banter: You are enjoying your most successful year in England, with 20 starts for League One side Walsall, what do you attribute your success to this year?
Anton Peterlin: I have found a good form and enjoy the manager Dean Smith. He has confidence in me and it shows in my play.
SB: In your three years in England, you have seen the highs and lows of professional football in the 21st century - life in the premiership with Everton, Plymouth going into administration and being relegated from League One, and now this season another relegation battle with Walsall. Describe the past three years in England and the transition from a Premier League club to League One?
AP: Well they have been very good years in the UK. Yes we were relegated at Plymouth last year, but it wouldn't have been if we didn't go into administration. i mean the Premiership is a different ball game than the football league. Even though Everton isn't the riches of clubs, they have a top training facility and great support. The training sessions were amazing and the standard was very high. League one on the other hand is very physically demanding and hard, but different. There is more time in the Premiership at times, but you have to be fully concentrated because if you make mistakes at the top they don't go unpunished.
SB: Rangers FC have just made world news by going into administration, but you dealt with it first hand as a player last year with Plymouth. Describe the impact that it has on the players and the club in general?
AP: Not getting paid hurts at the core…and that is the home life. No matter what a footballer tries to do, if there is pressure at home there will be on the pitch since you are not only playing for three points, but also mortgages, food, and other things. Lets just say it’s always in the back of your mind. I feel for Rangers, but I am sure they and Portsmouth will be alright, as they are both big clubs
SB: Relegation is so different than what American sports fans are accustomed to. Describe going down last year with Plymouth and now dealing with a similar battle with Walsall?
AP: Going down is a hard battle because you are scraping for points and games become not only three points, but against the bottom teams six pointers. And any point is important, it’s a hard battle. Also it’s a great thing promotion and relegation because it gives teams something to play for because if you go up there is more money and down less. So it’s better than the USA. I think if the USA could implement it, it would be brilliant and give spice to some games that lack any spirit because both teams have succumbed to not making the playoffs and have nothing to play for. In our league there is always something to play for.
AP: Not getting paid hurts at the core…and that is the home life. No matter what a footballer tries to do, if there is pressure at home there will be on the pitch since you are not only playing for three points, but also mortgages, food, and other things. Lets just say it’s always in the back of your mind. I feel for Rangers, but I am sure they and Portsmouth will be alright, as they are both big clubs
SB: Relegation is so different than what American sports fans are accustomed to. Describe going down last year with Plymouth and now dealing with a similar battle with Walsall?
AP: Going down is a hard battle because you are scraping for points and games become not only three points, but against the bottom teams six pointers. And any point is important, it’s a hard battle. Also it’s a great thing promotion and relegation because it gives teams something to play for because if you go up there is more money and down less. So it’s better than the USA. I think if the USA could implement it, it would be brilliant and give spice to some games that lack any spirit because both teams have succumbed to not making the playoffs and have nothing to play for. In our league there is always something to play for.
SB: Your story of going straight from the PDL with Ventura County Fusion to Everton in the Premier League is like a fairy tale. Thinking back to when you graduated Cal Poly, did you think then that you would be playing in England? How did the opportunity with Everton come about? Describe the transition socially from San Francisco to England?
AP: No I didn't think I would be playing in England to be fair. It is a completely amazing dream and something I think and hope all young footballers are striving for because if u have no goals then there is no drive to get there. I am playing in League One now, but would love and strive to play in the championship. Everton came about through my agent Graham Smith. He arranged a trial for eight days and I impressed David Moyes enough to get a one-year professional contract. The transition was different because the English have banter, which most Americans are completely naive to. It’s hard to explain, but it’s like taking the piss out of each other always, but never really meaning it. It’s all good fun and now that i have been here for some time I am getting better at it, but no where near the English standard. There are many differences from here to the US, but i love it because its something different and new.
SB: For those that haven't seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
AP: I am a holding midfielder, I get stuck in, and can distribute the ball well. I am not the quickest, but I read the game well and have an eye for the odd pass. I want to bring in the goal scoring side of my game and hope to one day score a profession goal.
AP: No I didn't think I would be playing in England to be fair. It is a completely amazing dream and something I think and hope all young footballers are striving for because if u have no goals then there is no drive to get there. I am playing in League One now, but would love and strive to play in the championship. Everton came about through my agent Graham Smith. He arranged a trial for eight days and I impressed David Moyes enough to get a one-year professional contract. The transition was different because the English have banter, which most Americans are completely naive to. It’s hard to explain, but it’s like taking the piss out of each other always, but never really meaning it. It’s all good fun and now that i have been here for some time I am getting better at it, but no where near the English standard. There are many differences from here to the US, but i love it because its something different and new.
SB: For those that haven't seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
AP: I am a holding midfielder, I get stuck in, and can distribute the ball well. I am not the quickest, but I read the game well and have an eye for the odd pass. I want to bring in the goal scoring side of my game and hope to one day score a profession goal.
SB: Walsall has had a good run of form the past few weeks, but besides just winning games, what will it take for Walsall to stay up?
AP: I think teamwork and endeavor will keep us up and some luck…luck is created from hard work and perseverance and I think we have that and more. We will beat the drop.
SB: Back on this side of the pond, MLS has just kicked off its 17th season, do you follow the league? Do you have any aspirations to play back in America?
AP: Yes, I follow MLS since I have friends playing for various clubs and like to follow them!!! And if I come back to the states and get a shot I would love tot play in the states if possible!! That would be amazing
SB: What advice would you give young Americans wanting to pursue a professional soccer career in England?
AP: The biggest advice I would give young footballers or soccer players would be to strive for the highest possible league and never give up. Set goals every day and try to see them out. Examples of goals: i am going be the best player in training or I am going to score today. Lastly, talent is always important, but hard work and practice is more.
AP: I think teamwork and endeavor will keep us up and some luck…luck is created from hard work and perseverance and I think we have that and more. We will beat the drop.
SB: Back on this side of the pond, MLS has just kicked off its 17th season, do you follow the league? Do you have any aspirations to play back in America?
AP: Yes, I follow MLS since I have friends playing for various clubs and like to follow them!!! And if I come back to the states and get a shot I would love tot play in the states if possible!! That would be amazing
SB: What advice would you give young Americans wanting to pursue a professional soccer career in England?
AP: The biggest advice I would give young footballers or soccer players would be to strive for the highest possible league and never give up. Set goals every day and try to see them out. Examples of goals: i am going be the best player in training or I am going to score today. Lastly, talent is always important, but hard work and practice is more.
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