Ursene Mounda gives his first interview to the website since joining  from South Shields FC in January of last season. The young midfielder has impressed everybody at The UTS Stadium with a string of solid performances at the end of last season and has earned a lot of respect with his impressive work rate in the middle of the park.

Dunston made an excellent start to pre-season with a 3-0 win over North Shields. You picked up the Dunston UTS FC Supporters Club MOTM award. What are your thoughts on the game?

I’m really happy with how the game went, it’s always a good feeling to win. I thought all the lads did really well and all the fitness work we have been doing with Ben Sherwood gave us a slight advantage over a really good side.

You came in mid-way through last season, making an instant impact in a tough game away to Colne. What attracted you in joining Dunston FC?

I hadn’t been enjoying my football for quite a while and spoke with my agent as I just wanted to be in a positive environment and to try enjoy my football again as I’d been flirting with the idea of quitting full stop. Luckily he was able to get in touch was Swaz and he was kind enough to take a chance and offer me the opportunity to play for Dunston.

It’s great to hear you’re now really enjoying your football and it shows on the pitch and in training. Considering some of the professional Clubs you’ve been with as a youngster, particularly Rangers and Kilmarnock, how hard is it mentally to cope with having to drop down levels?

It’s a very hard thing that no one teaches you how to deal with. I’d say I definitely struggled with it and lost a lot of confidence and belief in myself and my ability. It’s one of those things I think isn’t really talked about or taken into consideration a lot, but I’ve found for myself the best way to cope is just to remember it’s just a game of opinions and there’s a lot more to life than being a footballer.

Given the amount of money that goes into the game, in terms of academies, and player development, it seems to be the case that there’s poor after care with young players when they are released. What more do you think should be done in the game, considering that there’s now rightly a big focus on men’s mental health?

I think a lot of clubs should start putting more focus on educating players about how to control their mental state and designating time specifically for that because the reality is, as you go up the levels, the difference between players technically and physically decreases and it tends to be those who have the skills to pull themselves out of bad mental states who excel.

A lot of young football players are plucked straight out of school to go into an environment which is a little false, as in it doesn’t really prepare you for the real World because you get almost everything handed to you on a plate. They are then released at around 21-22 and with 0 skills on how to adapt in the real World. There is a massive difference between the number of lads who don’t make it in the full time game and those who do, so for me it would only make sense that more emphasis is put on preparing lads for when they don’t make it and how to cope with it and adapt.

Swaz has recruited well during pre-season and there’s some strength in depth in the squad. What are your thoughts on the season coming? 

I’m feeling very positive I think this squad is more than capable to challenge for play offs. Everyone seems in great spirits and I can’t wait for the season to start.

Ursene Mouanda is kindly sponsored by

Home shirt - First Mortgage NE

Away shirt - Dunston UTS FC Supporters Club

Training equipment - Sponsorship available

Images courtesy of Beauty Time Photography

Visit:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183143474@N02/