Q & A with Chris Bourne

What’s your name and how long have you been playing football?

My name is Chris Bourne. I first kicked a ball when I was 12, a bit of a late start compared to my friends but I started out wit my school team in goal and then moved out on pitch.

What positions do you play?

I’ve been playing the majority of the season left back, but love playing left midfield or right midfield, I picked up a couple of man of the match awards at left midfield so far and hopefully I can picked up a few more.

What club do you presently play for and how long have you been with them?

I currently play for Canvey Island Football Club, they was in the Nationwide Conference, but unfortunately due to the funds at the club, Canvey had to go down a couple of leagues to the Ryman league, I am still very much enjoying my football at Canvey it is one of the best clubs to play for in the Ryman league.

What other clubs have you played for?

I started out with Southend United Football Club, to be honest it was very much up and down there for me and didn’t work out but that’s football. I then moved and played for Canvey Island Football Club and was the right club for me as I had a fantastic season there. First team football was very hard as we had such a big squad so I went on loan to Billericay Town Football Club who play in the Ryman Premier and Welling United Football Club who play in the Conference South, and then come back to Canvey after to great loan spells and found myself a first team regular with Canvey.

What are some of the memorable moments of your career?

One of my most memorable moments was at Southend United, we played away to Ipswich Town Football Club, I played left back, I picked the ball up on the half way line beating to players to cut inside and then score a 30 yard top corner.

My second most memorable moment was getting picked to play in the FA Eleven team where all the best Ryman league players get picked to play in a once a year game held in London, I come off the bench with the score line 0-0 at the time, picking the ball up just inside the oppositions half I played a one two with my team mate Jay May which put me through 1 on 1 with the keeper calmly chipping with keeper in a game we won 3-0.

What inspires you as a professional football player?

My dad, he inspires me the most, he was a great player, he played for Millwall in his earlier days, and still plays now, his passion, attitude and desire to win and do well inspires me most to make it to top flight football in the game, which I feel I’m more than capable of achieving.

Have you been following the developments in Guyana football?

Yes I’ve been following the development and progression of Guyana Football Federation, and Guyana have come a very long way, which I’m very proud of and I want to be a part of more than anything to make my family proud and most of all to make my Nan and Granddad proud as this opportunity I have to play for a great developing country would not of been possible if it wasn’t for them.

Have you ever considered trying out for a spot on the Golden Jaguars?

Moving forward and progression is a target for every footballer and I have looked into it but I have been concentrating on my club football a lot this season as we are now doing very well and are hoping to do one better this season than last season and make the play offs and hopefully gain promotion, I am working extremely hard at the moment with my club to help them gain promotion and to show Guyana National team what I’m capable of.

What would it mean to you and your family playing for Guyana?

It is very much priority for me at the moment, I mean its what every footballer could dream of is playing for their country nothing comes bigger than that in the world of football than to play for your country no matter what country you play for, you can ask any footballer in the world they want to achieve in the career as a footballer and I bet the majority will say playing for their country. To get into the National team it is what I wanted to do for a long time and now I have the opportunity I will take it with both hands.

What message would you give to a young person thinking of playing football professionally?

To have dedication, commitment and desire those are the 3 things in your first step to becoming a professional footballer.

Postal Address
Canvey Island F.C
Park Lane
Canvey Island
Essex
SS8 7PX
Phone (clubhouse)
01268 682991