Bolton Wanderers Scott Arfield reveals music career choice

Wanderers fans may have seen his guitar covers on social media and performances he performed for teammates at Charlotte FC before returning to British football in the summer.

Music remains a big part of Arfield’s life off the field, and he admits that he considered a career on stage in his youth before his sibling’s wake-up call.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a musician! “I play guitar, but I’m just a little chord guy,” he grinned.

“I can probably count on two hands the number of really good friends I’ve had in an almost 20-year career in football, but most of my best friends are musicians. It’s probably my greatest passion.

“I had to make a decision when I was 17 or 18 whether I wanted to try to go the rock ‘n’ roll route or play football. Fortunately, it worked out in the field of football.

“But I remember my brother kicking my ass with my best friend, Liam Corbett, who was a guitarist.

“I thought we would give it a really good try, but they told me it was just for fun, so I went back to Falkirk, and that’s where my career started.”

The decision has certainly paid off for Arfield, who gained promotion from Huddersfield Town before spending a number of seasons in the Premier League with Burnley.

More good times were ahead for Rangers, winning the Scottish Premier League and even playing in the Europa League final. He also experienced international football with Canada and was later given the captain’s armband.

Arfield could easily have ended his career in the sun at Charlotte, but Arfield wanted more, and that hunger brought him back to the EFL with Bolton.

“It was a huge decision,” he admitted. “It’s a different season there, it ends at the end of October, November.

“There was a contract there until the end of December and then I would make a decision. At that point I wasn’t playing as much as I wanted to.

“The lifestyle and everything that came with it, I absolutely loved it. But at the end of the day I still feel like I have years left in the tank and goals left. It was completely professional – if it was in person I’d still be standing in the sun.

“I’ll be 36 in December and you’ll come back here. Maybe you haven’t played as much as you could. Who’s going to sign a 36-year-old who hasn’t played in the MLS for so long.” ?

“I had to come back and play. I landed on my feet with a club of this size and stature, and it completely parallels my thinking – that expectation, the research and the pressure. “I wanted to continue that feeling, that’s what I need at this stage of my career.”

Arfield started at Leyton Orient on the opening day of the League One season and has made a further ten appearances for the Whites so far.

The veteran is still keen to contribute on the pitch, but he is also embracing his role behind the scenes as he looks to pass on his knowledge and experience.

“That is my role on and off the field, to calm things down when things are a bit too hectic,” said the midfielder, who will compete for a place in the selection against Burton Albion on Saturday.

“I can also help off the field, make people laugh and take the pressure off. Or the other way around, by giving them a kick in the butt when things need to liven up and we don’t meet expectations.”

He added: “I want to help get this club back to where it belongs, it has been in this division for far too long.

“It would have been great for everyone involved with the club last season if they had done that, but you can’t lose sight of one game, one 90 minutes.

“There are many games during the season where you fall short. I came here to help get this club back on track, there’s no doubt about that.”

Wanderers made a slow start to the league but took ten points from their last four games before the break, even though the draw at Shrewsbury was a source of frustration.

Arfield is enjoying playing under Ian Evatt and remains confident the team can achieve their goals.

“The gaffer has his playing philosophy, which is fantastic. He never really doubts it and it was refreshing to see a young manager come in with this style of play,” said the 35-year-old.

“I really enjoyed it – rotations, overloads – you hear it a lot when you talk about football, but this manager and his staff really mean it and there is a real purpose to our game.

“Obviously, if you score more goals, this goal is magnified and people look at it in a different light. That all comes with winning games.

“We have a nice way of playing and we just have to take our chances at the top and then things will change for us.”

Part of this interview was provided by SkyBet. To visit the site, please click here.