People throw around the term legend quite a bit. But we can tell you that Kevin Campbell is just that, a legend in the eyes of many. With over 500 professional appearances, including 224 appearances and 59 goals for Arsenal, Campbell deserves that title. His hard work on the pitch was always applauded by the fans and he saw success at every stage of his career, an illustrious career that spanned over 20 years in the beautiful game. Campbell was a force to be reckoned with at Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, Everton, and West Brom. Simply put, he was a brilliant player.
Campbell has not turned his back on the game he loved, but instead turned his attention to growing the sport outside of England. He has become the brand ambassador for PASS, an innovative multi-faceted platform designed to change and improve the game in the U.S. and beyond.
Campbell believes in the potential of the American game, sharing the opinion that American players do have ability. But often raw talent only gets you so far, where Campbell sees the right environment and the right coaching being the real gamechangers. How good could the U.S. be in 10 years? Winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar good.
How do we get there? By developing better professionals through better coaching and a better environment. But becoming a seasoned professional, capable of playing at the highest level of global soccer, is not an easy journey, even for the talented Campbell.
“It was difficult to become a professional, but it was all I ever wanted,” the London native stated in an interview with ISNSoccer.com. “I always had a ball and a dream.”
Through the application of hard work, Campbell was able to overcome obstacles to enjoy success from the very beginning. As a youth player he was able to score goals at will against some of the best academies in England. Getting to play against the best on a regular basis helped Campbell grow as a player and earn that first pro contract with one of the biggest names in the Premier League. That is a major difference between England and America, a difference in quality and competition. Campbell would like to change that, to give Americans a better chance to be major players in the world’s game. Brian McBride, Claudio Reyna, Jonathan Spector, Landon Donovan could have been bigger names and better players if they were in the EPL longer; that is hard to argue with that stream of thought.
Campbell and former Newcastle player Kevin Gall formed PASS to be a “one stop shop” for raising the bar on American soccer. Improving coaching and environment, providing exposure for America’s youth players, taking elite players on tour in England against the best academies, the ideas go on and on. Have you heard this before? Yes, but Campbell and Gall have backtested their program and have gotten results, big results. And more importantly, they are committed for the long-term. PASS is not a one and done, grab your money and run operation.
Campbell and Gall are true professionals in every sense of the word, people that share a deep passion for the sport and will give it their all to see it succeed here in the States.
We couldn’t resist asking Campbell about his former (and still favorite) team, the Gunners of Arsenal. He called it a transitional season, especially after losing two great players in Nasri and Fabregas. Campbell was quick to compliment the stellar play of Van Persie, but clearly understood that Aresenal’s struggles on defense are an issue. He has his “fingers crossed for a better second half.”
That better second half will start with the Gunners’ match against ManU, which will be shown live on U.S. broadcast TV tomorrow, this being a first for a Barclay’s Premier League match in the U.S. FOX will get the call and we are hearing that Campbell may have an opportunity to share his thoughts on the game.
With a lifelong Gunner and legend on your side, the Red Devils of Manchester had better watch out for Arsenal in this season-defining match.
