Q&A with Senior Boys Soccer Captain Will Kelleher

The boys soccer team knew it was going to have a different makeup this year after losing 10 starters and 12 total players from the 2010-2011 PAC 10 Championship squad.

And the Rams certainly felt that hole in the beginning of the season. Spring-Ford's first win didn't come until game four against Owen J. Roberts. But, since then, they haven't lost. The Rams registered a tie against Perkiomen Valley in the next contest, but have wins over Pottsgrove, Upper Perkiomen, Phoenixville and Plymouth-Whitemarsh.

A part of the newfound success of the team has to go to the senior leadership. One leader is Will Kelleher, who described himself as one of the loudest players on the field. Although he only has three goals so far this season, Kelleher was marked as a leader by his teammates and by head coach Doug Landis.

Kelleher took some time to sit down with Limerick-Royersford-Spring City Patch to discuss his soccer career, college and his homeland of England in this week’s Q&A.

LRSC Patch: Tell me about your history with soccer: how you got started, when you realized you were good, what made you stick with it, when you fell in love with it…

Will Kelleher: Well, I was born in England and as you probably know, it’s a culture there. It’s a way of life, basically. All the kids play, from as soon as they’re old enough to kick the ball and on. I’ve been playing as long as I can remember. My dad played, as well. So, I’ve always been playing with him and watching the game. I’ve just been playing ever since. It’s always been a huge part of my life.

Patch: So, when did you move here from England?

Kelleher: I moved here in 2000, so I was in first grade.

Patch: Career change for your family?

Kelleher: Yeah. My dad is in the pharmaceutical industry. So, he got a job here and I’ve been here for almost 11 years now.

Patch: And you were playing soccer over there before you moved here?

Kelleher: I was seven [when we moved], so it wasn’t anything too serious, but I’ve been playing on a team since I was probably five.

Patch: Do you play any other sports in the winter or spring?

Kelleher: No. I’m just a soccer guy.

Patch: So, a lot of your concentration goes into soccer. Do you hope to go on to college and play, as well?

Kelleher: I’m not going to be playing in college, but it’s been a big part of my school career and always will be a big part of my life, but I’m not going to be playing in college.

Patch: As one of the captains of the team, how do you feel you exemplify leadership?

Kelleher: I’m definitely one of the more vocal players on the field. It’s always good to have someone out there that the younger players can hear and listen to. I mean, there’s plenty of other vocal people on the field, but I try to be one of the loudest.

Patch: What are some of the bigger cultural differences you see between England and the United States?

Kelleher: It’s kind of just the weekends in England are just centered around soccer. I was within walking distance of my favorite team’s stadium, Crystal Palace. So, I used to be able to walk to the games and it was great. Over here, weekends are about the NFL on Sundays. It’s kind of like football with a little bit of soccer, as opposed to in England, it’s soccer, soccer, soccer all the time.

Patch: Do you find yourself liking football more than a standard English person would?

Kelleher: Oh, more than a standard English person, definitely, but I mean it’s still difficult. All the conversations over here are all about football and I’d like to talk a little more about soccer. I definitely say that I enjoy it a little more than the average English person.

Patch: So, given the opportunity, you would prefer World Cup over Super Bowl any day?

Kelleher: Oh, I’d take World Cup any day. Not even a question.

Patch: What are you planning to do in college – major-wise?

Kelleher: I want to have something to do with sports. So, maybe sports management, or a business degree with a minor in sports management. I just really want sports, specifically soccer, to be a part of my life when I’m growing up. So, hopefully something to do with that.

Patch: Wrapping up senior year, I guess six or seven months to go, what are some of your favorite memories looking back at Spring-Ford High School?

Kelleher: Obviously last year, winning a PAC 10 Championship with a really good group of players has got to be one of the highlights. There are so many with different friends and stuff, but definitely winning the PAC 10 Championship has got to be number one.

Patch: Last one. If you could go back in time one year and talk to yourself as a junior and give yourself some tips, what would it be?

Kelleher: Get in shape. Obviously right now, it being mid-season, everyone is in a lot better shape, but you could always be in better shape. I’d much rather be able to go the full 90 and not be huffing and puffing. That’s what I would say to myself.