HE might be the son of a European Cup-winning dad but Matty Blair is no daddy’s boy.
While some sportsmen and women might utilise their family name to open a few doors that otherwise would remain firmly shut, Blair is pleased that his progress from Midland Alliance to potential Football League player in two seasons is down to his own efforts.
Not that his father - former Villa, Coventry, Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Andy - has been anything but totally supportive, but Kidderminster Harriers midfielder Matty wants to be his own man.
“My dad has always been there to ask advice but he has let me do my own thing,” said the 21-year-old.
“I’m probably most proud of the fact that I’ve got to where I’ve got to on my own accord. There are probably some sons of famous footballers who probably wouldn’t be where they are if it wasn’t for their dads.
“But I would like people to think ‘Matty Blair, he’s that fast lad who works hard for his team’ rather than being the son of Andy Blair. I would like to think people know me for my ability rather than my dad’s name.”
Andy Blair earned his name in Villa folklore by being part of the squad which lifted Europe’s biggest prize in 1982, beating Bayern Munich in the European Cup final, as well as getting his name into the record books as the first player to score a hat-trick of penalties in a League Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday in 1984.
But Coventry-based Matty is now dreaming of his history-making season by helping Harriers complete a transformation from the brink of financial chaos to promotion winners.
Blair had to bide his time to break into Harriers first team, having joined initially on non-contract terms in the summer from AFC Telford United.
The winger had to wait until October 2 to make his debut, at champions-elect Crawley Town, but within a week he had scored three goals in two matches against AFC Wimbledon and Grimsby Town.
Since then Steve Burr’s Harriers have only lost two league games and today they will relish the chance to put their play-off ambitions to the test against Luton Town in non-League’s match of the day at Aggborough.
“The season, as a whole, has been a brilliant experience for me personally and for Kidderminster Harriers,” said Blair.
