The Big Interview / Ralph Ellis / 16 October 2008 / Leave a comment

Betting.betfair.com caught up with Portsmouth and England number one David James to talk European adventures, going green (not in the Betfair sense), doing your bit for charity and listening to Radio Four for five hours a day in the car.

England winning in Belarus and an Olympic medallists parade were making Betfair feel quite patriotic - and then we bumped into David James for this week's big interview and discovered he's involved in both.

David, first congratulations on two World Cup qualifying wins

Thanks - although as ever it's a team achievement. I enjoyed both games, though

And now there's Europe to come next week with Portsmouth

Yes, I was so glad we got to the group stages. For me it's a chance to revisit European club football but the beauty is that it's the first time Portsmouth have been involved. The fans have all been singing 'we're all going on a European tour', and that's great for everybody. The last time I went into Europe in club football properly was with Liverpool and it was a case of going over old ground because they had won the Champions Cup four times or whatever it was then. This is completely fresh pastures

It's great for you to be so enthusiastic. We worked out this is your 21st season as a professional so what gets you up and going every day still?

You mean other than coffee?! I just love it, to be honest. When pre-season started this year my girlfriend was saying to me before I was leaving: 'You can't wait to get back, can you?' I'm like: 'No, no, no love, I want to stay at home a bit longer'. But she knew. The beauty of sport, especially football, is it's just a continually different challenge.

But we thought you were happy living on your farm in Devon?

Hmm, I don't know where this farm idea came in. I might have a couple of ducks but that's about it. I live near a farm, everybody lives near a farm in Devon. Geographically it's lovely, but I did want to get back into work.

You've had a topsy turvy start with Portsmouth

There's an element of settling down. Last year was a funny season because we topped just about every record from the season before, bar scoring goals. If the defence had not been as tight as it was - I know everybody can say the same thing - but we were involved in so many 0-0 and 1-0s that the defence kept things buoyant on a number of occasions. This time we have in Peter Crouch acquired somebody who is capable of scoring goals, and with Jermain Defoe starting pre-season as opposed to coming half way through with whatever baggage he might have left Tottenham with, we also have another confirmed and proven goalscorer. It's making a difference

You sound as relaxed and happy about things as we've ever heard you. Do you feel that way?

I do. I've had two years with Portsmouth now which have been personally, I'd say, superb, because having joined Portsmouth knowing that I had been sort of booted out of the England squad by Mr McLaren, to end last season basically starting all the games under Mr Capello, and to be there again now, that's as stark a contrast as you can possibly get. I know the team we have got is decent and I know we are capable of doing things.

Does that coolness come with more experience. With respect you've been known as someone in the past who was a bit obsessive, for want of a better word.

Well that might well be the right word, I don't know. I've come to the way of thinking that there's constant challenges and rather than worrying about them you have to embrace it all. I mean strewth, why not? It's an enjoyable game.

Is that why you have got involved in issues outside the game? You're an ambassador for the Special Olympics...

I actually got involved with that about five years ago. I was forced into it, and didn't really know anything about it at first, when I signed for Manchester City. The launch for the Manchester Games was the same week. But I started to ask questions and got interested. Now I've even helped plan the website which is www.sol2009.com. Next year the games are in Leicester and I'm trying to help raise the profile - especially at a time when we're just having a procession to celebrate our Olympic Athletes in Beijing.

The Special Olympics is for people with learning disabilities, and while it shares the billing with the IOC as one of the three members of the family, unlike the other two it doesn't get funding from the government. It relies heavily on favours and volunteers. With respect to some of the organisations out there, some of the lists of celebrities supporting them were longer than the list of events they hold, so I thought doing this would be better for everybody in the long run. It seems to be a good decision and I'm very glad they accepted my request to be involved.

You're big into green issues too, aren't you?

Well if you mean that I'm still driving my rapeseed powered car, regardless of what the government is saying about bio-fuels, then yes. There's more to it than them putting up food prices.

Do all these other interests help your football?

Yes. I do a lot of driving now, from Devon to Southampton where Portsmouth train is a two and a half hour commute each way, and as much as I thought initially it would be taxing, instead it is quite refreshing. I turn the radio on every morning, and listen to Radio Four, and some of the debates that are going on - it sounds trite but it opens your eyes to some of the things that are going on in the rest of the world. It has changed my view on a lot of things.

Rather than going home thinking: 'We've got Man Utd in seven days time, let me worry about what's going to happen,' I find myself focusing on other things. It isn't entirely foreign issues, I also focus on family as well. That's equally important in anyone's eyes. It's much healthier - as opposed to worrying about a member of the opposition, and I think in the past I have been guilty of going too far into thinking about what will happen on a Saturday. I guarantee if you spend too long thinking about something, you'll end up with some bad thoughts

Only good thoughts from us - many thanks for your time and there's a free £50 bet for your favourite charity.

I'm not into betting so I wouldn't really know where to start - but please choose something for me and if there are any winnings they can go to the Association of Children's Hospices which is one of the Team England charities.

Betting.betfair.com co-editor Jamie "The Pacman" Pacheco has chosen to place David's bet on a Betfair multiple for Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool to all win at the weekend at odds of [2.32.]