John McAtee sits down with brother James to discuss family, finding a love again for football and more
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What a weekend it could be for the McAtee family. While younger brother James sets his sights on a Wembley appearance by helping Sheffield United beat Blackburn Rovers, older brother John will be nearly 250 miles away hoping to do the unthinkable by taking his Grimsby Town side into the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
The 23-year-old has called upon his senior status in the family with the McAtee parents due in Brighton watch the Mariners continue their dream journey in this season’s competition.
Two McAtee brothers from Walkden, both on loan from their parent clubs (John is a Luton player, James Manchester City) and both one round away from a big day out at the home of English football. Of all the magic this famous old cup has seen, this is some tale on the cards.
Read more: ‘Proved me wrong’ – Chris Sutton makes prediction for Grimsby Town’s FA Cup tie at Brighton
Midfielder James has impressed during his year at the Blades to be under serious consideration at the Etihad for a role next season. John is the classic underdog and the 23-year-old is blossoming after rejection in academy football nearly made him quit the sport altogether.
“I thought I was done with football,” he told M.E.N. Sport. “My dad got a phone call off my old Under-9s coach at Liverpool, Ian Dawes, who had the youth team at Shrewsbury. They said to bring me to a game, I played against Coventry Under-23s and I scored a hat-trick. I don’t know how, I couldn’t tell you how!
“They gave me a scholarship straight after the game. I’d forgotten about footy for three months prior to that. I had a lot of confidence in myself. Those three months wasn’t me losing confidence, it was just me not enjoying it anymore. I wanted to enjoy it as much as I could.
“I kind of fell out of love with it, I hated it. I just wanted to go to college and be a normal Salford lad, enjoying certain things with my friends.”
While John talks, James sits with a smirk on his face. The two brothers have been brought together to discuss their story ahead of this weekend’s games. It’s clear the connection and sibling bond is very strong, with James discussing the help he has had from his elder brother.
“You’ve got your brother who does the same job as you. It’s one of the best things in the world,” said James. “We trust each other, we’re a close family. I can always turn to him.
“It’s easier when it’s coming from your brother because you know he wants the best for you. With other people you’re always second guessing. He’s giving the best advice possible and wants you to be happy. Luton was a big learning curve. It was more than just kicking me, it was me not being aware of the level I was stepping into. I was a bit arrogant, a bit…”
“My brother and some of the lads at Sheffield put their arm around me and said it happens to everyone. If that game hadn’t happened, I don’t think I’d be as good as I am now. I wouldn’t have learned lessons. I went into the Championship thinking it’d be the same, that it’d go well. At the start it made me take a step back. But I don’t think I could make the next step without this step.”
The brothers have only ever met once on the football pitch in a competitive game when Manchester City Under-21s trounced Scunthorpe 4-0, so a semi-final encounter would be another level.
“I think mum was a little bit nervous,” said James about that one previous meeting. “We didn’t want one of us to hurt the other. Not on purpose, by accident. If we both got through to the semi-finals I think she’ll be a lot more stressed.
“They’re more proud than excited. My mum and dad are very happy for us but I don’t know what they’ll be like if we play each other!
“Obviously the final is the dream, but we’d take the semi-final. That’d be a game we can always remember.”
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