Fahey grateful for second chance at Birmingham City

Jan 2 2009 By Colin Tattum

alongside. I would like to get back to where I think I belong, with those sort of players.”

By 17, however, Fahey wanted out of Arsenal and he joined Villa, where loneliness and a personality clash made his attempt to catch the eye of John Gregory fraught.

He explained: “I was homesick. As a youngster, I probably missed what my friends were doing back home. I couldn’t see the bigger picture. I was probably a bit immature. Now I will be more focused.

“The youth coach, Tony McAndrew, I didn’t get on very well with him. I don’t think he got on well with many people to be honest.

‘‘He made things tough, I think he was a bit harsh. But you come across coaches like that. Tony had his ways, and I didn’t have much dealing with John Gregory to be honest.

“I came home for a year in between my time there. I went to St Pat’s under-18s, just to get playing and enjoying my football. I came back and I was released from Villa [in 2002].”

Fahey said it was for others to judge his merits.

Bought for an initial £300,000 from St Patrick’s Athletic, his creative, dynamic nature was a major attraction to Blues manager Alex McLeish.

“I’m an attacking-minded central midfielder but I can sit and pass the ball as well,” said Fahey, when asked to describe his style. “At the moment I just hope to do well enough in training to get a chance and then take it from there, then you can judge me.”

Blues are well stocked for the more defensive types, but Fahey shrugged: “I haven’t seen enough to say anything or talk about the squad.

‘‘From what I have read and been told, Birmingham are looking for someone who can play and create things in midfield.

“I just want to do well in training and give the manager food for thought,” added Fahey, who has penned a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Fahey stands a chance of making his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Wolves should international clearance from the Irish FA come through before noon tomorrow.