West Bromwich Albion new-boy inspired by a family Slory

Feb 7 2010 by Andy Walker, Sunday Mercury

ANDY Slory’s arrival in English football has been inspired by a real family affair.

The winger has swapped cash-strapped Feyenoord for Premier League-chasing Albion having arrived at the Hawthorns on an initial five-month deal.

Deadline day-signing Slory, who made his Baggies bow as a substitute at Blackpool last Wednesday, was always destined to follow in the footsteps of his dad, Marcel.

Slory Snr carved out a career in professional footballer in the Suriname top flight as well as representing the former Dutch colony at international level.

However, rather more intriguingly, is the fact that the new Albion forward’s mother is also heavily involved in the game back in Holland.

Marjorie Slory Esajas currently runs a Heemskerk-based life coaching company for aspiring professional footballers and their parents.

Slory Sport Support offers emotional guidance and advice for talented youngsters looking to make a career in the sought after profession.

Esajas-Slory, who has a background in teaching, was inspired to get into the mental side of the youth game by the treatment her son received while coming through the ranks in Dutch football. She now sets out to improve the way professional clubs communicate with young players and their parents.

And to further prove that football is in Slory’s blood, his maternal grandfather, Ettire Esajas, also played the game for Dutch-club MVV.

“My parents are big role models for me, I look up to both of them a lot,” explained 27-year-old Slory. “I always wanted to get into the game because my father was a professional footballer in Suriname, he played at the highest level and also for the country as well.

“I was too young when my father played to go and watch him. I saw some pictures and one video of him in action but I was too little. He tries to give me tips on the game but sometimes he lets me sort it out myself.

“When I was seven I came to Holland from Suriname and I started playing about a year later. Eventually I was picked up by a professional club and it’s gone on from there.”