MY ACCOUNT
English DJ and Arsenal fan Joel Corry is aware the nerves will be kicking in when he takes to the Old Trafford pitch for Soccer Aid on June 11.
In an exclusive Q&A with LiveScore, the London-born musician talks through his love of football and names his dream five-a-side team.
What is more nervy, performing on stage or stepping out at Soccer Aid?
Stepping out at Soccer Aid! I have not played football since secondary school and I might be a bit rusty.
I am really looking forward to playing with my boy Tom Grennan, we just released a track together called Lionheart.
But [World XI captain] Usain Bolt is going to be there — I am definitely not marking him because I am not the fastest guy!
What made you fall in love with football?
I have been in love with football since I can remember. I grew up as a kid going to the park every single weekend and playing seven-a-side.
Every afternoon at school I would be playing football outside on the astroturf — I was football obsessed!
I remember watching the World Cups with my dad when I was really young and that was probably my first introduction to football.
Who was your football idol?
Ian Wright.
He was my favourite player for Arsenal growing up, number eight became my lucky number because of him.
What a legend, I love watching him on TV today as well because he is such a good pundit.
What would be your dream five-a-side team?
Peter Schmeichel in goal.
I am going to put Ian Wright in there, obviously, and I am going to include Cristiano Ronaldo — my favourite player of all time.
I feel like I need someone in defence, so I am going Ricardo Carvalho.
And I have to put Thierry Henry in there.
Who is your favourite player at the moment?
I said Ronaldo before and he is still playing — I am a big, big Ronaldo fan.
Everyone is always like: “Ronaldo or [Lionel] Messi?”
I am always Team Ronaldo — and I am wearing No7 [in Soccer Aid]!
So I need to step up and hit some free-kicks like Ronaldo.
What is your favourite Arsenal memory?
When we won the Double in 1997-98 and Tony Adams against Everton — I think it was 4-0 — scored in the match to win it for us.
I will never forget it because I was watching it at Hollywood Bowl and I saw it on TV and everyone was waiting for me to throw the ball.
But I said: “No I am watching the match.”
It is up there with my best memories.
If you could pick one footballer to feature on your next release, who would it be?
I am going to say Jack Grealish.
Because I know he is into his house music and he loves a bit of DJing.
So maybe a collab with him, because it feels like a banger. JC, JG — it is going off already!
Which current manager would be the best tour manager?
Jurgen Klopp, because he looks like he is proper up for it.
I actually saw a video of him dancing to Head & Heart and he was proper having it.
So I think he would be good to have on tour. Jurgen, if it does not work out at Liverpool — hit me up!
Soccer Aid for UNICEF returns to Manchester this summer in one of this year’s most hotly anticipated events. Tickets are on sale now.
