One of the most important roles of any parent is to create an environment in which their children can flourish. My parents did just that. At an early age I was showing ability. At six, I was too young to join a football club so Dad took me to a mini-club where I'd mix it with other kids. He recalls that I used to loiter around the goal waiting for a chance and, when it arrived, I would side foot it into the corner. Not once, he says, did I ever lash at a ball in front of goal as a kid. It was always a calm finish, focused on accuracy. At this point, I was showing signs of having a natural ability to play football and score goals.