'I wouldn't have had it any other way' - Burn on rise through the leagues
[Getty Images] Newcastle defender Dan Burn says he has "built a lot of resilience" in his rise from non-league to the Champions League. Burn had to work his way up to the top level, spending time at Blyth Spartans, Darlington, Yeovil Town, Birmingham City, Wigan and playing in the National League, League Two, League One, and the Championship before making his Premier League debut. "I'm very proud of the journey I've taken," he told BBC Look North's Nisha Joshi at the launch of the 'One of Our Own' initiative by the club and Newcastle City Council to mark Mental Health Awareness Week this week.
"I wouldn't have had it any other way. It's built a lot of resilience in me to show I can go through those levels. "I feel the first half of my career was built on fear of not making it or letting people down.
But, especially since having kids, I've settled a lot more and am happy and confident in myself as a footballer and a person. "Very proud. I try not to think about it too much because you can get ahead of yourself a little bit but once I've finished playing I'm sure it is something I'll reflect on.
" When asked if there could be a book written on his meteoric rise, Burn joked: "You never know... If there's someone out there who wants to write it, absolutely! " Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds