Gareth Bale formerly of Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Los Angeles FC calls time on his decorated 17-year career.
Bale started his career as a left back at Southampton; where he soon earned his reputation of a free-kick specialist.
Cheltenham based football coach Nigel Quincey scouted an eight-year-old Bale, and worked with him for seven years before he broke onto the scene at Southampton.
Quincey said: “in some sessions we had, Gareth out of the blue, would quietly score goals.”
“I always thought was pinned too early as a left back whereas his development was playing further forward.”
Quincey complimented Bale on his dedication and his “unassuming but deadly character.”
Bale’s career flew off the scale and reached unimaginable heights and Quincey said: “I don’t think anyone thought he’d be as good as he became because he was so quiet.”
He then explained that “he wouldn’t say boo to a goose, so in his development he was quietly getting on with it. Did anyone see where he was going? Probably not no.”
Quincey believed that no one would know how far he could go “until he made his first team debut at Southampton.”
“I would have said no because no one would detect that, however he did have some good qualities.” Quincey stated.
As the former Southampton scout worked so closely with Bale he recognised his family’s impact on his early career.
He followed his career closely even today where he “text his Mum this morning.”
Quincey insisted that the support from his family was mentioned.
He voiced that, “he had very very good back-up from his family with really good support from them which is you need!”
Bale’s break through season at the Saints then sparked his move to Tottenham where he spent six years there.
It was here his career took off and Quincey shared his thoughts on his development.”A fantastic career! Obviously his body went through many growth spurts right the way until 2021.”
He then described Bale as “almost like the Hulk, growing out of his own body, maybe the rigors of playing professional football has caught up with him eventually.”
Quincey believed that the legend of the game was a “great asset he has been for Wales and for football in general.”
