My dad was the EFL club mascot, I now have my first England call-up and get advice from my future father-in-law, Roy Keane.
An England star has opened up about his unlikely source of professional football advice, which turns out to be Roy Keane.
Keane earned a fearsome reputation as a tough midfielder for Manchester United and played a key role in helping the Red Devils win 17 trophies during his 12 years at the club.
But for Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who received his first call-up to the senior England team, Keane is much more than just a sounding board for his career.
That's because Keane is Harwood-Bellis' future father-in-law.
The Southampton defender recently became engaged to Keane's daughter Leah and is soaking up every morsel of information the United icon gives him.
“It's a good thing, yes, and I follow a lot of advice,” Harwood-Bellis said.
However, the 22-year-old admitted he has yet to address the subject of Sunday's match, which pits England against Ireland, a team for which Keane made 67 international appearances.
“No, everything is focused on Greece right now,” Harwood-Bellis said.
“It's a great game after the result at home. Obviously we want to go there and get a result.
“There will be a good atmosphere and a full house. We are looking forward to it and we take on the challenge.”
Although Harwood-Bellis is about to join another football family, he comes from one himself.
His uncle Steve is the president of Harwood-Bellis' local club, Stockport County.
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Harwood-Bellis also knew the secret identity of the club's mascot, 'Vernon Bear'.
That's because underneath was his father, Martin.
“To be fair, he did it for a good time,” Harwood-Bellis said.
“It wasn't a one-time thing. He was the bear. It was sad to see him stop doing that, to be fair.”
Luckily for Harwood-Bellis, there is a strong sense of familiarity in the England senior team.
The defender was part of interim England manager Lee Carsley's under-21 team that won the European Championship last summer.
Additionally, seven of his under-21 teammates from that tournament are in the senior England squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Ireland.
“I know the guys at a good level,” Harwood-Bellis said.
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“I spent a lot of time with the guys who played in the Euros. They make it a little easier on a personal level, but everyone has been very welcoming and once you get on the field everything is fine.”
Harwood-Bellis' first chance to win an England cap comes on Thursday when the Three Lions take on Greece, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45 p.m.
