Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham star Jack Collison puts Zola skills in a Wales shirt
Poised: Jack Collison is being compared to former Hammer Michael Carrick
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'You could say it runs in the family a bit,' said the 20-year-old midfielder, who is keen to learn more about Gwilliam. The former No 8 is now 85 and lives in north Wales.
'There's a book about him called The Gwilliam Seasons. I've read bits. I've never met him but my Mum's told me about him. She's Welsh so I wanted to play for Wales.'
Amanda's father was also a keen rugby player but the game never tempted Collison.
'A bit rough for me,' he grins. A series of composed displays for West Ham prove he has found the right sport for his talents.
Mum's the word: Collison switched allegiances to Wales - the homeland of his mother - and after learning that he is a related to former Rugby Union great John Gwilliam (14) captained the Welsh to two Grand Slam titles in 1950 and 1952
Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola was thinking of sending Collison out on loan until he threw him on to replace Matthew Etherington against Manchester United in October. Three months later, Etherington has been sold to Stoke and Collison is a fixture in the team.
The Welsh dragon was already part of his life. Under 21 boss Brian Flynn had been tipped off about Collison's ancestry and made the trip to West Ham's Essex training base to pop the question, 18 months ago.
Collison went straight into Flynn's squad and was soon playing in a team who almost stunned England in the European Championship qualification play-off.
Park life: Collison has followed in the footsteps of team-mate Mark Noble, graduating from the club's famous Academy to becoming an Upton Park regular
'As soon as Flynny came, my mind was made up,' Collison said. 'My Mum was very proud. She's been a massive part of my career.
'My Mum and Dad split when I was quite young and she was on her own at times bringing up me and my brother and sister.
'It must have been hard for her but I think we've all turned out all right.'
Collison joined West Ham as a 16-year-old from Cambridge, who were forced to close their Centre of Excellence due to financial problems.
The same thing had happened at the age of 12.
He was at Peterborough but they closed down the youth system to save money.
A cheap joke about West Ham's own financial problems gets a laugh from Collison, but he has every right to be excited about the future, starting with Saturday's FA Cup tie at Hartlepool, live on TV.
At least his days at Cambridge and Peterborough mean the culture shock of Victoria Park will not be too great.
It was Collison's Dad, Ian, who introduced him to football and the magic of Zola, as well as the defensive qualities of West Ham's assistant manager, Steve Clarke.
'My Dad was a Chelsea fan but he's made the switch now,' said Collison.
'I've given him a West Ham shirt. He gets stick off his mates. He's a roofer and I'd probably be working with him if I wasn't a footballer.
'We'd watch Chelsea back when it was John Spencer and Gavin Peacock. A bit later, Zola was there. I even saw Clarkey playing a few times.
'I remember Zola's goal against Norwich (in 2002) when the corner came in and he flicked it in. I watched it over and over again. I was blown away by it. It's one of those goals that will never get old.'
'That' goal by Collison's West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola, then at Chelsea, against Norwich in 2002 acted as a great influence for the young midfielder
The Zola repertoire is occasionally on show in training and Collison has been refining his skills with the help of his manager's personal tuition.
'He's been brilliant with me,' said Collison.
'He's spent a lot of time working after training on my technique. I'm hoping he's going to teach me a few free-kicks soon. Mostly he's given me confidence to play.'
On another trip to Stamford Bridge, to support his friend Junior Stanislas, on loan at Southend from Upton Park, Collison found himself studying the movement of Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack for tips.
He analyses his own game closely and was disappointed with his debut, when he came on as a substitute at Arsenal last January.
Holding his own: Jack Collison has earned rave reviews since his first team arrival in October having displayed great promise in the Hammers' midfield
'I felt I didn't give a good account of myself,' he said.
'But I feel a lot more settled now, like I'm improving with every game.'
Steven Gerrard is another player he admires, although Collison's slender six-foot frame and poise on the ball will remind West Ham supporters of Michael Carrick, another West Ham Academy graduate.
Collison made his full Wales debut in a friendly against Iceland last May. He now has three caps and his rapid progress begs questions about how he escaped the attentions of the England youth set-up.
Never mind the next Gerrard, Lampard or Carrick, Collison could be destined to become the next Ryan Giggs, the man who inspired a generation of England fans to wonder what would have happened had he not chosen Wales.
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HAVE YOUR SAY: WHO IS WEST HAM'S BEST GRADUATE?Post your views in the comments box below NEXT ON THE WEST HAM PRODUCTION LINE
JAMES TOMKINS
England Under 19 defender (left) who made six West Ham appearances last season, the highlight being a start at Old Trafford. Spent a month on loan at Derby and is back covering for Matt Upson and James Collins.
FREDDIE SEARS
Joined West Ham as an 11-year-old having supported the club growing up. The England Under 19 striker (right) made an instant impact, scoring on his debut against Blackburn last season. Twelve more appearances this campaign.
JUNIOR STANISLAS
Creative midfielder (left) with impressive set-piece skills. Recently recalled from a three-goal loan spell at Southend, where he played on the wing in nine matches, including two FA Cup clashes with Chelsea.
JORDAN SPENCE
Yet to make his West Ham debut, but this promising central defender (right) captained England Under 17s to the quarter-finals of the youth World Cup in 2007, where he scored the winner against Brazil. One appearance on loan to Leyton Orient.
HAVE YOUR SAY: WHO IS WEST HAM'S BEST GRADUATE?Post your views in the comments box below
More...
Zola fires broadside at 'fortune seeking' Bellamy
EXCLUSIVE: Hammers stunned as Cardiff slap£8m price tag on Ledley
Former Hammers chairman Magnusson not such a bad egg
WEST HAM UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB
