Mens

A mutual interest: Barry Douglas

A catch up with former Whites and Wolves defender.

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Having played for both Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, we caught up with Barry Douglas prior to the two teams facing each other this weekend.

The full-back won promotion with both teams to the Premier League, and is now looking for more success on the pitch in Poland, sitting top of the league with current side, Lech Poznan.

Barry, great to catch up! How are things going for you back in Poland?

"It’s going well! It’s a bit of a familiar place to me, but still has some of the unknown too. It’s a different experience and a challenge, but it is nice. I like to think outside the box a bit so I have just thrown myself in and I'm embracing it. Thankfully so far, it’s been so good! The football is going well, so let’s see how the season pans out now.”

We’ve kept an eye on results, what was it like to get such an important derby victory over Legia Warsaw last weekend?

“I am going to go out on a limb here and and say it is in the top 10 derby games worldwide. See the atmosphere, wow, that’s just incredible. Everyone involved in the cities and clubs care so much. It’s definitely one where if you are able to experience it, I would recommend it to anyone, a Lech v Legia game is just different level. To be a part of it is special, and to win in it is even nicer! It was a nice moment for the club because it has been a while since they won away there. I saw a little stat that said the last time we had won away there was in 2015, which happened to be the last time I was here. I am not saying I am anything to do with it, but, the stats are there…”

You know we have got to ask… How are you getting on with the language?

“You know what, people are shocked how much Polish I can speak! It’s a very difficult language, but I know a lot. I can get by without a translator now, so when we do team meetings and stuff I don’t need the translator, I can understand what they are talking about and I can speak enough to get by. The only difficult thing I am finding, and it’s a really big problem, is asking for Irn Bru over here. They have a limited supply, never mind the petrol crisis in England, you need to put everything into perspective and realise you can walk or go on a bike, but Irn Bru is a serious matter!”

We’ll get a package sent over ASAP! On to matters on the pitch this weekend, it’s a battle of two of your former teams. Tell us a bit about your memories of your time with our opponents this weekend, Wolves?

“I came back from abroad to play for Wolves and if I am honest, it was never really an ambition of mine to come back and play in the UK, because I just enjoyed being away so much. Being in the sun, it was nice, but the project at Wolves was just really appealing. I remember when I signed, the plan was that within three to four years they wanted to be in Europe. So when you hear that ambition, that showed where the club was at, then you look at the signings they made like Reuben Neves, Diogo Jota and Willy Boly, they are all big names. Some have moved on, some may move on.

“In football terms everything clicked. That season, everything could have gone right did go right, so it was a really memorable season. I built up such a great connection with the fans there and I was only there for one season so I felt like I had done something right! It was such a good and enjoyable time there overall, I could honestly write a book of happy memories, but a real standout memory I have other than the promotion was actually a goal against Leeds. After everything with the pandemic it makes me think of it more, because my Grandpa was there to see it. He’s still here with us now, but for him to be there to see that goal along with my mum, who sacrificed everything driving me everywhere growing up, for them to be there and see that goal was truly special moment and one I will always cherish.”

Special times for sure! Then you joined the Whites and made even more memories, can you talk us through your time at Elland Road?

“Leaving Wolves was a bitter-sweet moment. I had contributed a lot for them in the previous season and I felt I had earned the opportunity to play in the Premier League. I was in a team full of stars at the time but I thought I had contributed as much as anyone, so when I had the conversation with the manager, he said it was nothing personal and how thankful they were to me, but said they were going in a different direction. It was difficult to take but when you find out you have the chance to join such a massive club like Leeds United, it makes it better. I knew how big Leeds were, but it wasn’t until I signed and I saw the fanbase in a full stadium that I realised how much of a special club it was and how happy I was to be there.

“My first season at Leeds was always going to be difficult coming off the back of the season I had because the expectation level was high. We had a new manager and as a football fan, they would have expected replication of the season I had before, but it was a different regime, different manager, different system. I started really well to be fair, but it all caught up with me and I got little niggles, then I think it was in March or April we had Millwall. I think my knee was hanging off, but I played on! I finished the game, I knew as soon as I had the tackle that something serious had happened in my knee, but to finish the game and see the gratitude of Marcelo for carrying on because we had made all our subs, that was nice. But then I was out for the rest of the season, which was difficult, but I knew I had given everything I could to trying to get us promoted.

“The second season, again, I had loads of good moments. One of the biggest for me was just getting back playing after the pandemic and the lockdown. Nobody really knew what was going on, so just getting that first game back was massive for everyone.”

You’ll always be popular and well remembered at both clubs, just how special is it to have been part of such amazing memories?

“I feel like I have played my part for both clubs in whatever way I could. I have nothing but fond memories at both, and I have a lot of friends on either side that I keep in touch with. It’s amazing to see how well some of the players are doing. You look at Kalvin for example, he’s just a normal boy from Leeds who is now on the international stage and getting his rewards. It’s just so good to see and it is nice that I can be associated with both these clubs, nobody can ever take that or my memories away from me.”

And on to the game… will you be watching on Saturday, as some former teammates do battle?

“I will be watching the game over here for sure, as we play on the Friday night. I can’t be showing any bias, I think I have to say it will be a score-draw! There is so much quality in either squad, in the Premier League it’s just about getting momentum so I think both teams will be fine this season. Two unbelievable football clubs, both ran so well, but Leeds on top of that have something really special that no other club in England has and it is hard to explain, but there is just an aura about the club, the place, the city, it’s just different. I’ve been to plenty of away matches where Leeds have taken over and been the dominant fanbase, every game was a home game, it’s truly a special club and fanbase.”

Barry it’s been great to hear from you, we absolutely wish you well in Poland and we hope to see you again soon!

“I’ll continue to send both teams my best wishes and if anyone gets a chance to come over to Poland, you’re more than welcome! It’s an incredible place with amazing people, culture, and entertaining football.”

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