'Full focus' - Sunderland academy graduate opens up on decision to push through Black Cats transfer exit
Ben Middlemas has been speaking about his decision to leave Sunderland
Former Sunderland midfielder Ben Middlemas has opened up on his decision to join Swindon Town on a permanent basis this month, citing Robins boss Ian Holloway as a key factor in his transfer.
The 21-year-old sealed his departure from the Stadium of Light last week for an undisclosed fee having never made his first team debut, but was a key member of Graeme Murty’s U21s and was included in a handful of senior matchday squads over the course of his time on Wearside.
Nevertheless, Middlemas has admitted that as soon as he heard about the opportunity to sign for Swindon, he was eager for the deal to be pushed through.
What has Ben Middlemas said about his decision to leave Sunderland for Swindon Town?
Speaking in his first interview as a Swindon player, he said: “It was probably about a week ago I found out they were interested, and then I was just trying to get it all sorted. As soon as I heard Swindon were interested, that was like full focus on trying to get it done, trying to get Sunderland to accept whatever Swindon were offering and just get down as quick as I can.
“Obviously, Ian Holloway being the manager, managing the Premier League, playing in the top division... you just want to play under him and he's a really good character so I think he's someone you want to learn off, especially as a midfielder. So yeah, probably the main ones being him and then doing really well in the league and it's obviously a big club for the division and trying to get them back up the divisions.”
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He continued: “When I spoke to the manager on the phone, he was saying how much he liked me, and it was just a big confidence booster and how much they can trust in me, so just trying to grow under his management. The coaching staff have been really good in the past few days so just trying to build on what I've already got and what they can help me with.”
Middlemas also reflected on a previous loan stint with South Shields, and the impact it had on his personal development. He said: “It was really good. That was the first spell, my first spell, of men's football - it's the only spell of men's football I've had before I've came here so it was a very good learning curve to see how other [clubs operate]. I've only been at Sunderland, and I'm like the one who knows the club, so being the new person, it was obviously a lot different but it helps you for coming here and meeting everyone. It's a really good learning curve.”
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