Trai Hume programne article
Posted : 21st December 2021
19 year-old Trai Hume has been like a new signing for David Healy’s team this season. The right full-back has stepped into the first team like a ‘duck to water’ after coming through the Linfield Academy since the age of 12 and he told ‘Look at Linfield’ he’s enjoying every moment of it.
“This has been my first proper season with the first team at Linfield, after many years in the Academy setup. It has been very enjoyable and also very tough which is what you expect because Linfield are expected to win every game and that’s what we try to do. It’s been tough but it’s very enjoyable.
“The last six months have been a pleasure and I have, and continue to enjoy every moment of playing for Linfield, may it be in Europe, or in the Irish League. It helps very much with my development, as I am still young and still gaining experience every game and what better club to be playing for at this age, as it’s the hardest club to play for, due to the pressure and expectations to win and because we are the champions.”
Trai – who captained Linfield Swifts to their last Steel and Sons Cup final success in 2019 - has received great praise for his performances at right back this season. The Northern Ireland U21 International scored his first senior goal for the Blues in a 3-0 derby win over Glentoran at the Oval in September – a moment to cherish, but he’s hungry for more.
“In terms of my personal performances, I have done my best to help out the team in any way I can and I think I have done well enough but you can always improve. Perhaps, I could add more goals to my game because I have had chances at times where I’ve just missed. It would be great to get one in the next couple of weeks!
“My goal at The Oval would be my highlight of the season so far, as it was my first senior goal for the club and a in big game, as well as at a big time in the game to score a goal shortly before half time. That’s been the standout moment for me personally but there have been many wins which have felt great too because obviously, results are the most important thing and if you manage to score, that’s a very nice bonus to go along with it.”
Tonight brings familiar opposition for Trai, as he explains his links to the Sky Blues – who he spent last season on loan with in a breakthrough season to regular senior Irish League football - as well as discussing the season so far and dealing with setbacks.
“Ballymena United is a club I’ve got close ties to, as it is my home-town club and I have family members who play for the club at younger ages and others who work for the club. I always keep an eye on them and I am always reminded of how they’re doing by family members around the house. You can always expect a tough game from Ballymena. They’re a tough team to play against, as they always work hard and give most teams in the league a good match and we are no different.
“Of course, we want to be top of the table and winning well every week but this is a very tough league filled with tough teams. You can see that more than ever this season, if you look at the table with the amount of teams that are close and pushing for top spot. You can always look back at results and be frustrated but those games are done now and we as a team can’t fix that. We can only focus on the games ahead and go out to win and continue to improve as a team.”
“There’s always a buzz around the Irish League around the festive period with big crowds and this is absolutely something the players can thrive off. Derby games in particular are the biggest and best games to play in at any time, but around Christmas they’re extra special, as more people come out to watch. Crucially, it’s an important time of the season to win games.
“The Boxing Day game, when it comes, will be a very big game for both teams and their fans which makes it a big occasion. It’s a fixture with a lot of history and tradition. Personally, I watched the Ballymena v Coleraine derby on Boxing Day, growing up and it’s another very big game but I always knew Linfield v Glentoran was the biggest game on Boxing Day. I’m excited for it, so hopefully I’m selected to play, as it will be my first Boxing Day game with fans and my first with Linfield, but three points is three points and we are only focusing on Ballymena right now.”
Hopefully, Trai and his team mates will have a successful Christmas, with victories to night and in the upcoming Steel Cup final on Christmas morning and the Glentoran game on December 27.