TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS has a cuddly dad… and a not-so-cute future father-in-law.
The Southampton defender, who captained England Under-21s to Euros glory last year, has been handed his first senior call-up by Lee Carsley.
And that delighted his football-mad father Martin, who for many years dressed up as Stockport’s mascot Vernon Bear. Yet there is someone who will be much harder to please.
Harwood-Bellis is engaged to Leah Keane, whose dad is intimidating former Manchester United star Roy.
The defender’s uncle, Steve, is Stockport’s president and his twin sister Becky was a top basketball player, so here is a family which loves sport.
Harwood-Bellis was with Manchester City from the age of six before joining Southampton on loan last term, with promotion triggering a £20million transfer clause.
Asked about his family, starting with his costume-wearing dad, Harwood-Bellis said: “He did it a few times to be fair, it wasn’t just once.
“He must have been good at it. It was sad to see him stop.
“My sister doesn’t play any more but she represented Great Britain. She was good at basketball. We’re a sporty family.”
Harwood-Bellis, though, did seem slightly nervous when the subject of the father of his fiancee Leah was mentioned.
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He said: “Yes, it’s something that is good and I take a lot of advice.”
Although England travel to Greece today for tomorrow’s Nations League clash, Sunday will see England face Ireland at Wembley, with the game nearly sold out.
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That match will be of particular interest to a certain former Manchester United and Ireland midfielder.
But swerving the next question about Keane and the Ireland showdown, Harwood-Bellis said: “Everything is focused on Greece.
“It’s a big game with the result at home last month as we lost. We want to go over there and get a result.”
One man who has featured prominently in the centre-back’s career is Vincent Kompany.
The Belgian was manager in his loan spells at Anderlecht and Burnley.
And the 22-year-old star said: “I had the best part of a year and a half under him so he’s helped me massively. He helped me personally to grow as a player and a human being, as well.”
Asked about the England call-up by interim boss Carsley, he said: “Lee rang me in the morning. I couldn’t quite believe it at first. It was a feeling of pride.
“I was with my partner. Then I phoned my dad and he was very proud.
“The fact I had played for England through the age groups and now I was in the seniors, all my family were delighted.
“He [Carsley] always said, ‘If you are playing well at the top level and doing the best you can, there will be a highly-likely chance that you get called up’ — and he stuck to his word. So I’m really happy.”
Although he will not be at either game, manager-in-waiting Thomas Tuchel will be watching from his home in Germany.
Harwood-Bellis said: “It will be a big motivation for all the lads that there is a new manager coming in and they will be wanting to keep their places.”
