It is now some six weeks since I arrived in England to join my new club Bury F.C. at Gigg Lane.
On the day I actually arrived at the club, September 30 1999, there was a lot of publicity surrounding my signing.
I only hope I can set a trend for Asian footballers and be seen as someone they can identify with and emulate. One
question I have often heard asked in England is why are there so few Asians playing football? There are many players from
the Caribbeans playing at all levels, some have even played for England, but no Asians.
So the media interest when I joined was quite intense.I have had to settle in Bury and try to get used to living in
North England where everything is different . Of course, I am away from the home I have known for a number of years, but I
think I have settled well in a house found for me by my club. It is near the ground, which enables me to travel easily to
and from work. I am training hard every day, building up the stamina required to play football at English League level.
In England, clubs play at least once a week, if not twice, from August until May, and in all weather conditions --
whether it is cold and sunny, cold, wet and windy, even snowy conditions. And this is week in and week out. Even during the
Christmas period, when most things in England come to a virtual standstill, spectators can always enjoy a game of football.
I realise that a lot of people back home must be interested to know how the training is going. Well, I find it hard as
I am not used to the type of game played here. The weather often dictates long and high passes as opposed to the quick pace
to which I am accustomed. But I am putting all my efforts into this. And I must gratefully acknowledge the help and support
of my mates. I only hope I can score enough goals to justify their faith! I know my club has high expectations of me, but I
am under no pressure and am confident that I shall perform. So far, I have taken part in every league game since my arrival,
not for all of the game because I still need to reach the full fitness required, but I hope I have been able to demonstrate
that I am capable of more.
I'm playing full games for the reserve team, and have scored quite a number of goals, so I'm getting there.
by Baichung Bhutia
appeared in Gameplan