Preston North End's, Graham Alexander talks exclusively to Jamie Allen

Picture courtesy of Pne.net

Graham Alexander only dreamed of playing one game in his footballing career just so he could say he had been a professional footballer. That one game came for Scunthorpe United as a 19 year old back in 1991, but today that game’s just a distant memory as Alexander, now 40, has over 1000 caps to his name.

Growing up in Coventry, Alexander was like any youngster, football crazy. The only thought in his mind was to be a professional footballer.

“It was a typical school boy story. He confessed.

“You dream of it and you know that the percentages are not great, but you always think you might be the one that breaks through and I was fortunate that happened for me.”

As a young boy, Alexander attended numerous trials at professional clubs, but to no avail. He did not let this stop him from achieving his ultimate dream and his lucky break came as a 16 year old when he was given his chance by a scout in Coventry who recommended his services to Scunthorpe United. Since then he has never looked back.

Alexander battled his way through the rough and tumble of England’s bottom two divisions for the first eight years of his professional career, firstly at Scunthorpe and then Luton Town. David Moyes, who Alexander thanks most for turning his career around, brought him to Preston North End in 1999. There, Alexander made a total of 400 appearances over an eight year spell whilst in the process helped North End win the 2nd division title and also assisted them in reaching the Championship playoff finals in 2001 and 2004.

He then crossed the border and moved to rivals Burnley in 2008 where he fulfilled his ambition of playing in the top flight and walked out as captain alongside Ryan Giggs, as Burnley hosted Manchester United at Turf Moor.

Burnley was also the place where Alexander reached his landmark of 1000 caps, the record he shares with Tony Ford who played alongside Alexander at Scunthorpe.

Alexander then returned to Preston North End in 2011 where he continues to plod along.

After treading water in the lower divisions, Alexander's longevity allowed him to enjoy an international career of 40 caps. He did not make his Scotland debut until the tender age of 30, but he regards playing internationally and in particular receiving his silver medal for his 25th cap as Scotland beat France at Hamden Park as one of his highlights of his prolonged and illustrious career.

Clearly Alexander has achieved a lot in his successful profession and he has relished every single minute.

“There’s definitely no regrets.

“It’s a part of life and football that you’re not going to win every time so you keep on striving for success and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every step of the way, even when I was playing in the old 4th division I was still loving it because I was playing as a professional footballer.

“I am lucky to have the best job in the world and I don’t see why I should give that up for anything so I will do everything I can in my power to keep doing that.”

Alexander is clearly a very level headed and gracious character. He is the ultimate professional. The fact he was in a photo shoot all day, yet still found time to speak to me in his busy schedule emphasises the type of a man he is.

The great man is also renowned for his penalty taking success. It’s tricky to work out an exact conversion figure, but the general consensus is that he has converted 78 from 85 attempts. He claims there is no trick to the trade and as to the sincerity of the man even plays down the feat.

“It’s just plenty of practice and belief in yourself.

“I didn’t want to let anyone down so I practiced as much as I could to be successful at them.”

So what’s the fixation that keeps Alexander striving to get up in the morning after so many years?

“Football is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do since a very young age and I’m lucky to be a part of this game and to have made it as a professional.

“I keep pushing myself as hard as I can, to play as long as I can, because for me it is the best job in the world.

“It’s not any hardship getting up and looking after myself because I am doing the thing that I love.”

Alexander admitted he was close to agreeing a coaching role with Burnley last season before he joined Preston, but at present he is loving life at Deepdale.

“I want to stay in the game and when I do have to hang up my boots, become a coach or a manager.

“I’m currently on my pro licence, which I should complete at the end of this season.

“But the will inside me is to carry on playing.”

But very few will play the professional game as long as Graham Alexander has. He is clearly one in a million, but like any footballer, he has his pastimes.

“I have got a vintage Volkswagen campervan.

“Paul McKenna’s got one and Richard Cresswell who I played with at Preston.

“There’s a few of us that get together in the summer and go camping in the lakes or down in Cornwall.”

Alexander may have to wait for his next camping trip, but his voyage up the appearance charts shows no sign of slowing down and it looks like this golden oldie will be hanging around for just a while longer yet.

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