The man in goal

Malta’s national goalkeeper Andrew Hogg, strolls into the café where we arranged to meet, fashionably late, on the phone with his agent talking overseas contracts. As soon as he turns his attention to you, with his green eyes and soft smile, all is forgiven.

He apologies profusely, blaming a largely overwhelming week for his delay. Andrew recently said goodbye to the Valletta side after playing for the club for the last five years to sign with Cypriot team Enosis Neon Paralimni for the coming season.

The man in goal

“Playing for Valletta is not an experience that can be replicated at any other club in Europe. The people surrounding the club have given me and the rest of my team mates such tremendous support from the management right down to the supporters. The passion for the club is extraordinary.”

Winning the Premiere League just weeks, ago adds one more title under the team’s belt. Over the last five years Valletta has been honoured with three Premiere League titles, the MFA Super Cup trophy in 2008 and 2011 and the UBET FA Trophy in 2010.

Though the 27-year-old keeper is at the top of his game and very happy playing with Valletta he says it is time to move on.

“My ultimate goal is to be able to look back at my life when I am old and be able to say I tried my best.

“I can easily play for Valletta for another 10 years. Malta is the more comfortable option – my abilities are supported by the team, the management and the supporters, however playing in Malta is somewhat limited.

“Although our training is on par with training at other European clubs, we simply do not get enough exposure to international games.” 

Andrew wants to shake the big fish in small pond image and see what life is like out there in the big sea.

“Leaving Malta is a risk as there is a chance that I will not succeed out there in the big world. I’m definitely going to miss my family and friends and the social life we get so good in Malta, but I am ready to give everything I’ve got to football and see if I can make it out there.”

A football career seemed to be a natural progression for Andrew. He moved to Malta with his family from the UK at the age of five where he started playing football like everyone else, at school and whenever he played with friends.

Though in most kid’s football games the goalkeeping position is reserved for the fat kid who can’t run, Andrew is far from that, lean and sun-tanned, with blonde hair and striking green eyes. 

“At a very young age, a friend of mine had a pair of keeper gloves that I really liked and that became the position I wanted to play.”

He realised that he was quite good at it as friends always struggled to score when he was in goal. Like he noticed this, so did the football nurseries and clubs.  

“There was interest in me right from the start from various clubs and I started playing for Sliema at the age of five and moved to Luxol at age 7. By the age of 13 I started to play for Pieta Hotspurs and stayed with them till I was 22, spending one season on loan to Italian club Bari in 2003 to 2004.”

Andrew was 18 at the time, a time usually spent studying for exams, however his parents recognised his potential and gave him the support he needed to be the best he possibly could.

“Though I think education is very important, it was always football that really held my attention. My parents always pushed me to study, but also realised that I should not be negleting football. I am qualified in the financial sector and do some part-time work for my father’s firm, however this has always fit in around football.”

His dedication to the sport has paid off being part of the national team right from the Under 10 squad, through to the senior first team.

“It was an honour to play for my country even as a child, as an adult it is even better as you are recognised as the best in your field.

“I will remain available to my country and will play for the national team should they request.”

The role of a keeper is a vital one and Andrew needs to be on top form at every game.

“If I’m having a shaky day then it resonates throughout the team and we will have a shaky performance.

“Confidence is the most important part of the game for a keeper. If I believe I can do it then I generally do. Unfortunately that is not something you can really train for and it’s either there or its not. Luckily more often than not it is.” 

The man in goal

The day of a big game is all about keeping calm and preparing for the match. 

“It’s really important that I get up early enough to wake my body up enough before the game.

 “I generally try to keep away from carbs and eat well even though we don’t have to watch what we eat as we train so hard. The day of a game, however, is different and you need to carb-load to make sure there is enough energy to maximise performance throughout the game.

“There are no rules that say we can’t have a social life a few drinks every now and then. As long as it is once in a while and not every day then it doesn’t influence performance. After a game it is impossible to sleep anyway because of what is left of the adrenaline pumping through your veins so we usually go out and have a couple of drinks afterwards.”  

At the height of his career, Andrew is leaving Malta to seek out greener pastures but Malta is his home and his plan is to return when he’s given all he’s got to the sport, to come back the family business. We wish him the best of luck. 

60 seconds with Andrew Hogg

Date of birth: 2 March 1985

Place of birth: Kinston upon Thames

Height: 6ft

Job: Full-time footballer signed with Enosis Neon Paralimni, Cyprus

When not playing football: scuba-diving, mountain-biking, boxing

Guilty pleasures: Pepsi and chocolate

Favourite music: Metallica, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys

Favourite movie: Sherlock Holmes (The Robert Downey Jr versions)

Last book he read: Pepe Reina’s Autobiography