Home  News & Press Archive Press Archive Stags' Hotchkiss bidding to add touch of Samba magic |
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Stags' Hotchkiss bidding to add touch of Samba magic |
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Monday, 30 March 2009 |
Source: This is Nottingham
It helped Pele, Jairzinho and Ronaldinho reach the top and now Mansfield Town's newest recruit hopes it can do the same for him.
Ollie Hotchkiss has grown up playing Futebol de Salao, a Brazilian version of the beautiful game.
Played with a smaller (size two) but heavier ball (465g) there is hardly any bounce, meaning the emphasis is on flair, creativity and dribbling skills.
And Hotchkiss, 19, who has signed on loan from Leeds United for the rest of the season, feels it has had a positive effect on his development. Other players to have played the game and gone on to play at a professional level are Manchester City's Micah Richards and Spurs' John Bostock.
"It is a game I really enjoyed and it helped with my skills and fitness levels. I would recommend it to anyone," he said.
Hotchkiss believes he has plenty to offer the Stags as he looks to impress Elland Road boss Simon Grayson ahead of next season.
He said: "I like to get forward and score as well as set up goals, but I don't mind getting my foot in and doing the ugly side of the game too.
"The one thing the fans can be guaranteed is that I will give my all in every game."
Torquay come to Field Mill for this afternoon's game with Mansfield on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run.
Hotchkiss, who is keen to be involved in some shape or form, is aware it could be a baptism of fire for him.
"I watched them on the television in the FA Cup when they played Coventry and they looked a decent side," he said.
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