Ebanks-Blake to fulfill Anfield ambition
Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has revealed he cannot wait to play at Anfield against Liverpool next season, as it will finally fulfill a lifelong ambition. The FourFourTwo Football League Player of the Year is set to become the Championship's Golden Boot winner for a second successive season in 2008/09. Ebanks-Blake netted 23 league goals last season, only for the club to miss out on a play-off place on goal difference. However, this time the striker's 25th league goal of the campaign against QPR last weekend ensured the Molineux outfit will return to the Premier League for the first time since their demotion from the top flight in 2004. And with promotion to the top tier, the former Manchester United trainee will finally fulfill a personal dream, harboured since he was eight-years-old.
The 23-year-old marksman is a lifelong Liverpool fan, and has never set foot in Anfield having vowed never to go inside the stadium until the day he was able to play there.
“As a Liverpool fan the biggest treat in being in the Premier League will be to play against them for Wolves," he told the Birmingham Mail.
“I have never been to Anfield. I told myself a long time ago that the first time I would go there would not be until I play there. Hopefully I will get my chance to do that next season.
“It was just something I set as a target for myself as a youngster. I have never been to watch Liverpool at Anfield even though they are my team and I have had lots of chances over the years.
“I lived in Manchester for years and have seen them play at Old Trafford and really Anfield was on my doorstep.
“But I said from a very young age that my first trip there would be as a player. That has always been my special dream – the ultimate prize – and I can’t wait to get the opportunity now.
“For all of us it is a massive dream come true. But it is also nothing short of what we deserve.
“We have worked hard all season and, once we get these last couple of games out of the way, we can enjoy it.”
NEWS: Ebanks-Blake clinches Wolves promotion
NEWS: Sylvan scoops Football League Awards double
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.
‘After Manchester City’s recent form, maybe they’re the underdogs against Manchester United!’ Former Red Devils defender on this weekend’s derby
‘Arteta, Alonso, Emery, me… none of us were physical players – we needed the understanding of the game. That probably helped us move into management’: Premier League boss reveals reasons for natural career progression