From Ocean View and Lavender Hill to player of the season: GroundUp interviews Ashley Hartog
GroundUp interviewed Ashley Hartog, the midfielder for Supersport United who won the club’s Player of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season awards for the 2011/12 season.
GroundUp: What is the history of your soccer career?
Hartog: I started playing soccer in a place called Ocean View when I was 7 years old. We had a lady who lived next to us who saw me playing in the streets, and took me to a team called Shelton Spurs where I started playing. When I was 13 years old, my parents moved to Lavender Hill. I started playing for FC Fortune, then Sint-Truiden in Belgium. Then I played for FC Cape Town before I went to SuperSport United.
GroundUp: Have you always been a midfielder?
Hartog: I started my soccer career as a centre back, but I am currently playing as a midfielder, just behind the strikers.
GroundUp: Who were your soccer role models?
Hartog: The role models I used to look up to were Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero.
GroundUp: Are you ready for the upcoming season?
Hartog: I’m ready for the season. Well, all I can say is I’m born ready and can’t wait anymore.
GroundUp: What advice would you give to young players who want to become professional players?
Hartog: If you do what you love, you’ll always do your best. So keep on believing in yourself. Work hard towards your dreams, because no matter how long it takes for you to reach your goal, I will tell you hard work does pay off.
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