Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC's Jermaine Beckford will look to Ian Wright for inspiration
Jermaine Beckford[LNB]JERMAINE Beckford wants to emulate his boyhood hero Ian Wright by taking the step from the lower leagues to top flight goal machine.[LNB]The 26-year-old striker only started playing league football four years ago, after Leeds United plucked him from obscurity at semi-professional outfit Wealdstone.[LNB]Like Arsenal legend Wright, who also made the step-up from non-league football aged 22, Beckford continued his habit of hitting the back of the net in the Championship and earned his shot at the big time by helping Leeds win promotion.[LNB]Now he hopes to be as prolific as the England international, but is focussed first on breaking into the star-studded Everton team.[LNB] He said: 'Ian Wright was one of my favourite players because he came into the game quite late and he managed to achieve a lot in the relatively short time he was playing.[LNB]'I was 15 when I went to Chelsea and was there for about a year. Then I went to non-league and playing for Sunday league clubs. I went to Wealdstone and scored quite a few goals and I was noticed. Then Leeds took an opportunity, they took a chance.[LNB]'I know I've now got to carry on working hard, carry on learning and keep my eyes and ears open. Hopefully soon I'll get my chance. It's another big step up and I'm just grateful I've got an opportunity to work with the management and players we have here.'[LNB]Beckford has already provided evidence he can rub shoulders with the best, by scoring against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in Leeds' dramatic FA Cup run last season.[LNB]He said: 'When I play football my aim is just to score goals. That's what I get paid to do. Playing against teams like Man U when you're from a lower league team you have nothing to lose and nothing to prove to anybody so you just go for it. To score goals is instinctive for me.'
