New boy David McGoldrick has recalled one of the biggest disappointments of his career — when he was in the Southampton team beaten by Ipswich in the 2005 FA Youth Cup final.
The teams drew 2-2 on the south coast, with McGoldrick on target from the penalty spot for the young Saints, but Ed Upson’s extra-time goal in the return leg was enough to bring the trophy to Portman Road for the third time in the club’s history.
McGoldrick, 25, said: "In the second leg we didn’t really turn up. There was a great atmosphere, to be fair, but we were poor on the night and Ipswich deserved to win.
"There are a lot of the players from that Southampton team now playing first team football in the Premiership, Championship and elsewhere.
"Theo Walcott was in the team and Gareth Bale was on the bench. Adam Lallana, who is now the Southampton captain, was also a substitute. Nathan Dyer is at Swansea, Martin Cranie at Barnsley and Lloyd James at Leyton Orient.
"Leon Best was also in the team. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was at the club — he trained with us but was a bit younger — and look at him now. It was a great experience.
"Southampton had a great academy and they still do when you see the players they are producing down there. Theo and Gareth were a bit special when you saw what they could do in training.
"They had tremendous athleticism, that was the big difference to everyone else, and they have gone on to achieve big things.”
McGoldrick has not given up hope of rubbing shoulders again with the likes of Walcott, Bale, Lallana and Dyer, all of whom are top-flight regulars these days. He said: "You never know what can happen in football. You even see players coming from non-league straight into the Premier League so you never know what the future holds. "I’m only 25 so I’ve certainly not given up hope of playing in the Premiership. It would be nice to play against them for Ipswich but at the moment I just want to help the club get up the table and away from the threat of relegation.”
McGoldrick celebrates netting from the spot in the FA Youth Cup final first leg at St Mary’sWhat to read next:
New Town captain Dara O’Shea says he is eager to take on the added responsibility of wearing the armband for the Blues ahead of the Championship season kicking off on Friday against Birmingham City.
Town have rebuffed a bid from Nottingham Forest for Omari Hutchinson.
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Boss Kieran McKenna says the expectation on Town for the season ahead is very different from when they were in the Championship two years ago and sees similarities with the 2022/23 League One promotion season.
Blues manager Kieran McKenna says the club’s new signings have settled into the squad well during pre-season.
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says he can’t be happier with the squad he has worked with throughout pre-season but admits there’s still lots to do to get numbers up to where he wants them before the transfer window closes on September 1st.
Como’s Spanish striker Ivan Azón is reported to have told his club he will not sign for the Blues on loan and will only leave the Serie A side to join Valencia.
Town boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed there is interest in keeper Aro Muric, who has been strongly linked with a move to Turkish Süper Lig side Çaykur Rizespor.
Town boss Kieran McKenna kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed on the Blues’ moves for Chuba Akpom and Jens Cajuste, but admits it’s getting close for anyone to come in and be involved in Friday’s season opener at Birmingham.
Manager Kieran McKenna says there’s been no in change in Nathan Broadhead’s situation with the Wales international the subject of an approach from newly promoted Wrexham last week.