New Recording 4

Ex-footballer Gary Boutier shares his experience of initially being resistant to integrating with new teammates, fearing they would take his position as captain. However, he realized the importance of working together and using everyone's strengths to achieve success. He became close friends with Julius, who shared the same goal of winning. Gary was devastated when he became paralyzed and could no longer play football, but he remained strong for the team and aimed to bring victory in the finals. The interview ends with gratitude and the hope of meeting again. Next up on FM 104, I'm Aimee Keegan and we have a special guest all the way from America, ex-footballer Gary Boutier. Hi, I'm Gary Boutier. Thank you so much for having me today for this interview. I just have a few questions about your football career. Let's get started. First, what was your first thoughts when the team gradually integrated? At first, I was not so happy with what they were doing. As when we were at the football camp, I saw one of them do this as a test, and he was better than me, and I was afraid he would take my spot. Not just on the team, but as captain as well. So I wasn't very welcoming to them at the start, and none of us clipped to one another, so we weren't playing as a team at all. Perfect. Question two, how did you overcome this? I overcame this obstacle by realising there's no point in all of us hating each other just because we're as good as each other. So instead, we all came together and used all our strengths together in order to win. Instead of wasting our potentials just because we're scared, instead of using them to our advantage. Yes, I get you. That's right. Question three, what friends have you made? After all our differences on the team, I've become really close with Julius, as we have the same idea to help our team win, and we've just become really close. I think I've become good friends with a lot of the lads on the team, but probably me and Julius have become the closest as them all, as we just work really well with each other, and just really click. Yes, I totally agree. Next and last final question, what or how did you feel about your incident? I was absolutely gutted when the doctors told me I was paralyzed, and that I could never play football again. As we were in the finals, and football meant so much to me, but I had to stay strong for the team. When Julius came to visit, I just wanted to start crying, but when he did, I knew I had to be even stronger for him. All I wanted now was to play for them, to win the final, and bring that victory and trophy home. Well, thank you so much Gary for all that, and that is all we have time for today. I hope we meet again. We will talk to you later. That's Aidan Keegan on FM 104.