Brendan Rodgers: From Carnlough To Leicester

While chatting to LCFCQ around half-a-dozen weeks into his tenure as Leicester City boss, it is clear to see where the 46-year-old’s values as a man and a manager have originated from – his upbringing in County Antrim was a simple one, full of joy.

A small coastal village situated in the north east of Northern Ireland, Carnlough had everything Rodgers needed as an adventure and sport-loving youngster, with family and community at the heart of it all.

It is there, in humble beginnings, where he trod the first steps along the path towards a career as one of the most respected managers in Europe.

“Carnlough gave me everything as a young person growing up there,” Rodgers reminisces. “It’s a very tight community, very close and everyone looked out for each other. I have lots of family and friends around the area, so you always felt very protected.

“My childhood growing up was a very happy one. I was involved in sport and also enjoyed being with my friends. I loved sport and I played basketball at school. I was very much an outdoors type. You were kicked out the door in the morning and that was it, you don’t come back in until your dinner later on! I loved adventure and being out there.

“Of course, I’m similar myself now. I love adventure and I love to travel. I love to see different parts of the world. The world is a small place now. I think when I was growing up, when you live in a small village, the rest of the world seemed a long way away.

“But I enjoy travel and enjoy going to different countries and experiencing new cultures. I try to take a little bit from the culture that I’m in. Carnlough is a lovely part of the world.”

The eldest of five boys, Brendan explained why the warmth and support of his late parents, Christina and Malachy, and his brothers’ natural competitiveness provided the foundations for him to achieve his goals in the world of professional football – which, of course, is a fiercely competitive environment itself.

“When you’re one of five brothers, in particular the oldest, you always try to prove a point!” he jests. “We were always competitive in most of the things that we did. Being the oldest brother, I look at it now as an adult, and I find that my mum and dad, bless them, did amazing.

“As brothers, we’re all very close proximity in age, or certainly the first three of us. My family, we didn’t have a lot of money, but I always felt rich in love and security. You certainly had to learn to eat your food quick, or else it would disappear!

“My mother and father had a great set of values, they were very hard working and very honest. They cared for us.”

The full feature on Rodgers’ upbringing can be found in Issue 8 of LCFCQ, which can be purchased from the Foxes Fanstore at King Power Stadium or from shop.lcfc.com for just £4.