GARETH BARRY’S memory of his first and, to date, only summer spent pursuing success with England are of “married” life with Steven Gerrard and more of pool and ping-pong than football.
Gareth Barry has become a key man in Fabio Capello's England plans
Yet while Barry did not kick a ball in anger as a nervous teenager in Euro 2000, the grounding he received a decade ago will underpin his thirst for glory in South Africa.
“That tournament was really a bit of a blur for me,” he said. “I had just finished my first season at Aston Villa and all of a sudden I made my debut for England and got selected to go to a major championship.
“I didn’t take part in any of the games, but the experience of being there helped me so much. There were big characters in the dressing room – the likes of Alan Shearer, Tony Adams and Paul Ince.
“To spend three to four weeks living with them and training with them, it certainly prepares you for what you are going to experience later in your career.
“By being in a dressing room with someone like Adams, you got an insight into what playing for England means. You could see the passion and how desperate they all were to do well. That is something that you keep with you.
“I was just a young kid and so was Steven Gerrard. Our rooms were next to each other and we had a joint living room.
“It was a 24-7 relationship between us. He got homesick a bit because it was probably the first time he had been away from his family, whereas I’d left mine at 16. By the end, we were like a married couple!”
There is little doubting that Barry, 29, will be earmarked for a more expansive role in South Africa, his international fortunes blossoming under Fabio Capello’s meticulous command.
It will be a landmark in the career of midfielder Barry, now at the heart of Manchester City’s bid for Champions League football next season. After winning his first England cap against Ukraine before Euro 2000, Barry’s next eight appearances were spread over seven years, until one positive legacy of Steve McClaren’s flawed reign saw him reintroduce Barry to the fold.
History reveals plenty of players who, when confronted by a similar situation, have faded into the background and never really returned – Scott Parker and David Bentley come to mind.
Yet while Barry is quietly spoken off the pitch and understated on it, his character cannot be questioned.
“What happened does give you an appreciation of your career. That’s definitely the right word,” said Barry. “Even at club level I experienced the same thing at a young age by being left out for four or five months in one season. You learn from being out of the team, but it makes you desperate for another chance and when it comes along you just have to grab it. Don’t let go.
“When even a year goes past you start thinking, is your international career finished?
“But in the back of your mind you have to believe in yourself and believe that, if the chance comes along, you can take it. Luckily, when Steve McClaren called for me I was a much better footballer and able to take the chance.
“I was playing in a different position – centre midfield, which is my best one compared to left-back when I started – and I knew I would be very comfortable when asked to play again.”
That has remained the case under Capello. Barry is in the privileged position of being the only recognised senior player to appear in both of the England friendlies, against Spain and Brazil, over the past 12 months.
He is best placed, therefore, to gauge the heights Capello’s men must reach at the World Cup.
“The two friendlies were very different, apart from the fact we didn’t have our strongest teams out in either of them,” said Barry.
“I was shocked at Spain, shocked at how well they pass the ball and the level they really are at. If we are to beat teams like that we have to be on top of our game.
“When you talk about Brazil, you generally talk about their flair and attacking ability, but playing in the game I was thinking the complete opposite – how solid they were at the back and even in midfield.
“I was expecting wave after wave of attacks, but we had our share of the ball and just struggled to break them down, which was a bit of a surprise.
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“You can see why they’re spoken about as two of the favourites to win the World Cup. On our day, we are not far behind and if we can field our best team against them then both are beatable.”
Such confidence is imbued by Capello’s aura. “After Euro 2008, football in England was shattered for a bit and people were losing interest in following England,” said Barry.
“The manager came straight in, picked us up, gave us belief. He said we’re a good team, good players and we can play together. That is all we needed really.”
But if the England manager holds players in high regard, it will not stop him from being the ultimate taskmaster, as he showed in hauling Barry off at half-time against Holland last August and Frank Lampard at the break against Egypt last month.
“It wasn’t a shock for me,” added Barry. “I’d made a mistake for Holland’s second goal and the way the first half went you expect changes. He doesn’t give you a reason, he doesn’t have to.
“He looks after the team and not individuals. He makes a substitution based on what is going on in that game, not in previous years or previous matches. That is good for everyone.”
