Jassim ‘Jazz’ Alali is a tough-tackling midfielder, however, he temporarily swapped his tough tackling to reminisce and talk all about his Life In Football!

Alali is one of the quieter players off the pitch at Eccleshill United, although there isn’t a man you can hear louder on the pitch than Jassim Alali. An interesting man who had a lot to tell, starting with his interesting surname.

Alali said; “My dad’s side of the family is from Palestine so it’s kind of a middle-eastern origin and that’s where the name comes from.”

Jazz is a select few of players at Eccleshill United that have been in academies prior to their tenure with the Eagles, Alali was at York City and he gave an insight into his time there.

“I kind of grew up in the academies I had trials at Hartlepool and was on the books of Middlesbrough development when I was younger and just took it from there, I got a offered a trial at York City at the age of 16,

I played in the under 16s there for a year and it was after that I got offered my two-year Youth Team contract, so, I spent a couple of years down at the club, and there’s a good set up for the youth team down there,

So, I worked through that and then went onto University and worked my way through the Northern Counties and Evo-Stik leagues” Alali discussed.

Furthermore, the 25-year old spoke about his exit trials and the options that became apparent through them, stating; “I went to an exit trial that was organised by the League Football Foundation and they kind of look after the academies once the lads are released. So , I kind of went to a few and got a few offers off America and scholarships, but thought it was best for myself and for my opportunities to stay here.”

Moreover, Jassim may have a memorable face, especially after his goal on the opening day against Thackley AFC, however, Alali has an identical twin! Khalid Alali plays in Australia as Jazz explains.

“He’s been in and around the Northern Counties East leagues like myself, in fact he played against me for Worksop Town for a bit a few years ago but he’s now finding himself out in Australia, so he’s playing for a team out there, but it’s roughly the same kind of standard to what we are at over here.”

You know what they say about twins, they have telepathic connections, okay this isn’t the best example of it, but bizarrely Jassim and Khalid both got identical GCSE results, “I guess there was some healthy competition between the two of us to always do well, no matter what it’s in. So, we levelled up on the same number of A*,Bs and what have you, all be it In different subjects but very similar grades coming out,

With my career I’ve kind of gone onto University since then and studied mechanical engineering, got my masters, and that’s what I kind of find myself doing now for work as well these days,” added Alali.

Sticking with the pair, Jassim spoke about his greatest ever goal that came in a dramatic match against his brother, “I guess growing up there’s always a few goals you always remember and the one that stands out the most was the one I scored against my brother,

I was at Yorkshire Amateur at the time and he was at Hallam and it was down at their place and I think they went 1-0 up and then we levelled it and then went to 2-1 up and then they scored a ninety minute equaliser and then I popped up ninety-fith minute - I volleyed home from the edge of the box so yeah that’s probably one of the standout ones but there are a few others as well,” Alali happily stated.

Furthermore, Jazz is an avid Manchester United fan, but the lad from Yarm also went to a fair few Newcastle United games, Alali explains; “A stand out Man United moment in the history books was the one in the Champions League, 2 goals In the last few minutes that’s a stand out one, but growing up my dad (Mohamed) and brother (Khalid) were Newcastle United fans

So, growing up I had a season ticket up there for 10 years therefore I often got to watch quite a few games of football when growing up and I particularly enjoyed it when (Manchester) United came up.”

The midfielder later discussed his idols growing up, he said; “Growing up being a midfielder, I guess Paul Scholes is the key one from (Man) United but Zinedine Zidane is probably my all-time favourite player, I grew up watching them on the telly."

Moreover, Scholes once scored an amazing goal vs Bradford City at Valley Parade, a volley that may have replicated Jazz’s goal against Hallam, however, the question beckoned, how was it like playing at Valley Parade?

Alali answered by saying, “It was good, it was a great game to get involved in and it was a tough test getting there in the cup run, and it was a few years back with Garforth Town in the West Yorkshire Counties Cup,

The odds were stacked against us, even in the semi-finals knocking out Harrogate Town but it was Bradford Park Avenue in the final and it was a tough test and a good game, we did push them close and I think it was less than 15 minutes on the clock when they scored so it was a bit hard to take but again it was a great game to play in.”

Additionally, Jassim mentioned that he had played at “Bootham Crescent with York City,” and he also said; “I played at St James’ Park with my brother up in Newcastle, I won a competition to play there, I played alongside the legends Peter Beardsley, and John Beresford the other one was.”

Finally, Jazz Alali spoke truthfully about his friendship with Eccleshill United goalkeeper, Dom Smith.

Alali added on Smith; “I got bit of stick from Dom last time when I mentioned I kind of knew him ha-ha, but yeah it goes a bit further than that, I first met Dom when we were at the books of Garforth together and were in the same team down there for a few years and I know Dom quite well!”

A great interview with Jassim Alali, who comes across as a very intelligent man who is also a dedicated lad on the pitch. The guy from Yarm will surely go down as a fans’ favourite come the end of the season.