Millwall Community Trust AP Tutor Joey Taylor has been called up to play for Montserrat National Team during the next international break.
Joey has made 17 appearances for his national side after being called up in September 2018 where he made his debut against El Salvador.
Montserrat travel to Barbados on Saturday 9th September in match day one of the CONCACAF Nations Legaue.
Following that, they host the Dominican Republic on Tuesday 12th September as they look to get off to a good start in the competition.
Joey - who operates mainly at left-back - also plays for Chatham Town and was part of the side that were promoted to the Isthmian Premier League last season.
The Emerald Boys are captained by former Nottingham Forest striker Lyle Taylor - who is Joey’s brother.
Throughout the week whilst working at the Millwall Community Trust, Joey works on the 14-16 Alternative Provision Academy programme where he tutors, coaches and mentors young people referred from local schools and PRUs
Joey Taylor said: “A lot of people tend to look down on the standard of non league football but it’s not an easy career. From the outside looking in people think that you just turn up and train once or twice a week and play on a Saturday, which isn’t the case at all.
“A league season is 42 games long, then you have the added cup competitions which can extend it to 50+ games. Having to do a days work and then travel to a midweek fixture which could be miles away & be expected to perform at a level is a tough task to replicate throughout a whole season, and something that shouldn’t be underestimated and the resilience needed to be able to do it.
“Playing semi professional football and international football along with working a full time job has its difficulties at times but I’ve been doing it for a while now. Once you find a balance and organise your time efficiently it can be done.
“Luckily I work in an environment at MCT where the management understand football, whether that’s in a playing or coaching capacity.
“Their understanding allows me to juggle everything nicely and therefore I’m not missing out on what is a unique opportunity to represent my country and my club.
“It’s an honour to be called up for my country, I take a lot of pride in representing the country that my grandparents descent from.
“I am looking forward to joining up with the team and for the fixtures ahead.”
John Scarborough Millwall Education and Employability manager, said: "Really pleased for Joey to be called up again as his journey in particularly as a former graduate of millwall post 16 Academy football and education programme is a great example to our aspiring young people. It highlights the many different routes that can be taken to achieve footballing ambition but also reinforces that any level hard work, commitment and resilience is needed to get on the starting grid of heading towards their dreams.
"Joey has had many set backs from potential career ending injuries to daily juggling his work commitments to the trust and young people and also performing at his best level for his club and country. On behalf of the trust we wish him well."
Picture taken by Souleyman Garcia.
