West Bromwich Albion's young midfielder Barney Stewart has opened up about his unconventional path to professional football, his passion for the sport, and his infamous skill—or lack thereof—at the team bonding game Werewolf.
From University to Professional Football
Stewart, who joined the Baggies' academy after impressing at university level, admitted that his route to the professional game was far from traditional. "I was playing for my university team and got spotted by a scout," he explained. "It was a bit of a surprise, but I always believed I could make it."
The 21-year-old midfielder made his first-team debut for West Brom earlier this season, a moment he describes as "a dream come true." He added, "To pull on the shirt and play in front of the fans is something I'll never forget."
A Terrible Werewolf Player
Despite his talents on the pitch, Stewart is known among his teammates for being particularly bad at the popular social deduction game Werewolf. "I'm absolutely terrible at it," he confessed with a laugh. "I can never keep a straight face, and everyone knows when I'm the wolf."
The game, which involves players trying to identify the 'werewolves' among them, is a staple of team bonding sessions at the club. Stewart's inability to bluff has become a running joke in the dressing room. "The lads love it because they always catch me out," he said. "But it's all good fun."
Balancing Studies and Football
Stewart also highlighted the importance of education alongside his football career. "I was studying while playing, and it taught me discipline and time management," he noted. "It's not easy, but it's worth it."
He encouraged other young players to consider their options beyond football, saying, "You never know what might happen, so it's important to have something to fall back on."
Looking Ahead
With his debut under his belt, Stewart is focused on continuing his development at West Brom. "I want to play as many games as possible and help the team succeed," he stated. "The manager has been great with me, and I'm learning every day."
As for Werewolf, he's not expecting any improvement soon. "I think I'll always be the one who gets caught," he joked. "But as long as we're winning on the pitch, I don't mind."
