Gareth Strange used to train alongside Roy Keane so it’s safe to say he’s experienced having the shite kicked out of him.
The former Manchester United schoolboy worked his way up to the second string under Alex Ferguson but couldn’t break his way through to the first team with players like Brown, Stam, O’Shea and Johnsen all in the side.
The Bolton-born defender spent 11 years at the club before leaving at 20 and dropping down to non-league football which is when he made the decision to make a change.
“I started training for this a couple of years back and moved into competing last year,” Strange told M.E.N. Sport.
“It’s an excited, nervous and scared feeling,” Strange said. “It’s similar to football. As soon as you’re in there and get hit it’s fine.
“It’s like playing football – you get nervous but as soon as you take your first touch you’re into the game.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen, it’s like sparring except the blows are harder.”
The 33-year-old is set to compete at Shinobi War 5 in Liverpool next month and, despite the relatively unsuccessful footballing career, Strange is grateful for how former manager Alex Ferguson and captain Roy Keane dealt with him.
“Sir Alex had the dignity to tell me I wasn’t what they were looking for,” he said.
“They pushed me forward into midfield and I wasn’t a midfielder.
“Height probably did have a factor in it because I wasn’t tall enough but I wouldn’t blame being released all on that.
“If you looked at the first-team and below there were some top players. Wes Brown, Jaap Stam, John O’Shea, Ronny Johnsen, John Curtis, Ronnie Wallwork.
“The first-team players were all really good with the young players. Roy Keane was top drawer. He wasn’t as people would imagine him to be. If you were on his team in training he wouldn’t shout and scream at you, he’d encourage and help you.”
Bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘tough as nails defender.’
