Source: Northern_Echo
Bailey sets sights on Premier League
NICKY BAILEY was paraded as Gordon Strachan's third signing of the summer yesterday, outlining a desire to play Premier League football by ensuring Middlesbrough don't sink in the Championship next season.[LNB] It is 11 years since Bailey was told he was not good enough to be kept on by Fulham, leaving him to discuss his next step with his parents in Hammersmith .[LNB] For years it looked like the teenage forward would be unable to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer.[LNB] After leaving school, he spent time as a lifeguard at the local leisure centre as well as working on his father's stall at North End Road market, in Fulham.[LNB] But having impressed during his non-league stint with Sutton United before helping Barnet back into the Football League in 2005, Bailey's goalscoring talent from midfield has led to a gradual rise to prominence, ultimately catching Strachan's eye.[LNB] If you stick to it, you believe in yourself and you are prepared to work hard then it s h o w s through. I did those things and I have got back up to the top level,[LNB] said Bailey.[LNB] It's hard when you are rejected. You have to go out and find jobs and things like that. I have done a variety of jobs in my time ,playing part-time football. I used to work as a lifeguard, gym instructor, in a bookmakers, hoping someone would come in for me and sign me.[LNB] I also helped my dad down the market, unloading his lorry. It was hard work but it was something I had to do. I had my football to look forward to later in the week once I finished work. It was the only way I could get my money.[LNB] Impressing as a teenager under Paul Fairclough at Barnet led to Southend United paying £175,000 for him in 2007 and, after failing to sign a new contract, he was sold to Charlton a year later for £750,000.[LNB] Two seasons later, on the back of scoring 25 times and finishing top scorer in each of his campaigns at the Valley, he has moved to Middlesbrough for £1.4m, confident of leading the charge to the topflight.[LNB] It's a massive move for me, he said.[LNB] My aim is to play as high as I can and this will help me to do that. I have been here before, there's a lovely hotel, golf course and e v e r y t h i n g about it is top quality. It's a massive club and everything is designed here for the P r e m i e r League.[LNB] Every little boy who likes f o o t b a l l ' s dream is to play in the Premier League and mine is no different.[LNB] I have come here to Middlesbrough to show what I can do and hopefully it is good enough to lead us in that direction.[LNB] As Bailey sat in his chair at Boro's Rockliffe Park training headquarters yesterday recalling his route to Teesside, Strachan's smile was one of satisfaction.[LNB] Without kicking a ball in a red shirt, Bailey's determination to succeed and return to the upper echelons of professional football is borne out of a character which Strachan wants all of his players to possess.[LNB] You can usually determine someone's character on a football field, said Strachan, who first tried to sign Bailey in January. People can talk a good game but when they go on a football field that's not always the case.[LNB] You have to do your background work on a player.[LNB] What's he like Does he mingle with players Is he a good person We do all of those things. We have to do that more, it's like due diligence.[LNB] Bailey has heard a lot about his new manager and claims he's not looking to be on the wrong end of his wit.[LNB] As a keen golfer, the 26-yearold is keen to hit the Rockliffe Park course, although ninehandicapper Strachan quipped I might send him and the rest of the players on a run around it.[LNB] Official confirmation of Bailey's signature arrived just two days after Kris Boyd was paraded in front of the media following his switch from Rangers.[LNB] Now Strachan intends to get a £1.5m, rising to £2m, deal done for Celtic's Stephen Mc- Manus in time for the defender to make the trip to Ireland, where they play the first of two matches against Athlone Town on July 19.[LNB] Strachan, aware that Blackpool and Leeds are now interested in Gary Hooper, said: Two main targets done. I would be hoping for more within the next ten days.[LNB] Strachan also insisted there has been no contact from either Leeds or Bristol City for striker Leroy Lita, although there has been snippets of enquiries for some players.[LNB]
