Exactly a decade ago, when Hearts beat South African giants Santos FC in Cape Town in the CAF Confederation Cup, a lifelong Santos fan, Shaun October Mason, then only 14 years old watched as Bernard Dong Bortey’s goal from his own half gifted the Phobians a first victory on their first trip to the land of Nelson Mandela.
Life, being so unpredictable, has brought the boy who watched Hearts for the first time with his Dad at the Athlone Stadium, into the camp of the Rainbow Club from the Rainbow Nation as a man.
And just like Hearts’ smash-and-grab victory in 2004, Shaun October has weaved his way into the heart of Hearts fans since pitching camp for a trial on the 12th June, 2014 under recommendation from ex-Black Stars and former Santos FC player John Paintsil.
Shaun October has boyish looks and a slightly effeminate mannerisms without the ball, but once he is in action, the debonair outward appearance gives way to a stylish, energetic, effective, and composed footballer of the Brazilian ilk.
Hearts fans are connoisseurs of the beautiful game by virtue of their innate nous to recognize a good player and they have warmly received Shaun October Mason. The South African has taken more applauses from the ATTC training grounds Park of the Phobians than any other player since he began training with the club.
October has bamboozled his admirers and critics in equal measure, and even the technical team have not been left out of the Shaun October stupefaction. Initially purchased as a defender, he has been moved to the left-side of midfield, and at times as part of the striking trio in a 4-3-3 formation due to his versatility.
In the beginning, there were doubts he could not perform in the Ghanaian game due to his outward calm, benign and composed nature, but he has torn those doubts down to shreds, making up his lack of strength with his superb range of passing, tackling intelligence, and set-piece technique.
Shaun October has scored twice for Hearts in friendly games – none inside the 18-yard box – and numerous assists.
The 24-year old has slowly established himself as an important cog in Coach Herbert Addo’s team for the 2014/15 season.
The former Santos FC youngster opened up on his new surrounding, his ambitions and targets, and a whole lot more in this Exclusive interview. Read more below:
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Who is Shaun October Mason?
Shaun October: Mason October is a normal guy from a normal family in a normal town in Cape Town – where I was born. I went to school in Strandfontein High, in the Mitchells plane area in South Africa. Ever since I started growing up, I just wanted to be a footballer. Whilst I was in school, my father pushed me to pursue my academics, but I just knew one day I would be a professional footballer. I even got a scholarship to go to America to study at Michigan College, but I turned it down to play [football] for Santos FC.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Did your family agree with your decision to play football instead of going to school?
Shaun October: The decision was basically up to me and my dad. Whatever I decided, he was going to support me. So if I chose academics, he would support me, and so would my mum. Whatever I chose, they were going to support me, and I chose football.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How many siblings do you have?
Shaun October: I am the only child. [He laughs]
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How did you get into football and Santos FC?
Shaun October: My first club was Red Rovers, my local club. We used to play in the lower division in the districts. Santos were doing Coaching Clinics, going round primary schools and they came to my school – Vanguard Primary in the Vanguard district. I loved football so anytime or small opportunity I got, I played football. So I trained at the Santos Coaching Clinic, they saw me there and they scouted me. I even remember the name of the guy who scouted me and why I jumped at the opportunity. He promised me he was going to train me from the junior team through the reserves and into the first team because of the potential he saw in me.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What position did you start with when growing up?
Shaun October: I started as a striker at Red Rovers, but when I arrived at Santos, I was playing left wing. But I played under local legend Keith America, who coached me until I went to the first team of Santos, and he was the one who made me a defender.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: So what is your favorite position and who are the people ‘big’ players you played with at Santos?
Shaun October: I enjoy playing left wing when given the chance but I am comfortable in defense too. My Dad still believes I am a left winger. I have played with a lot of experienced players including John Pantsil and many others, but Preston Adams is my favorite. I miss playing with him a lot. He is my blood cousin. We started at Red Rovers and he joined me at Santos when he came for a trial.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Would you refer Preston Adams for Hearts if the opportunity arises?
Shaun October: Yes, there are a few brilliant players in South Africa I would refer to Hearts and Preston Adams would be one of them.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Have you been capped at any level by South Africa?
Shaun October: No, not yet.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How did you hear of Accra Hearts of Oak?
Shaun October: I have watched Hearts before in Cape Town when they played Santos in 2004 in the Confederation Cup – that was when I first knew about them. I did not know of the achievements of the Club, and how big it was until I met John Pantsil, who told me a lot of good things about the club and the history and all the stuffs.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What is the relationship between you and John Pantsil; and did he convince you to come and play in Ghana?
Shaun October: We were teammates at Santos. You know life makes you friends, but football makes you brothers. There were a few clubs in S.A [South Africa] that I was about to sign for. It was just a matter of me going in to sign, but John [Pantsil] told me not to sign, and so I took his words and did not sign for any club in my country and came to Ghana.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: It is quite rare for South African players to play in other countries, especially on the continent (in Africa). But why the peculiar move and what is the intention behind you moving to Ghana to play here?
Shaun October: Look, [Accra] Hearts of Oak is a very, very, very big club. I want to play for my National team, and if I do well with Hearts of Oak, the National team [Bafana Bafana] will have no choice than to give me a chance. Do you understand? So that is my motive.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Can we say you are using Accra Hearts of Oak as a launch pad for your International career? And how are you feeling in Ghana?
Shaun October: I wouldn’t say using Hearts in that sense of the word, but I want to have a very good football career. Playing overseas and out of my country, is an achievement on its own. I really feel at home here; I really don’t miss home. I miss the people at home but everybody here at the club, and in Ghana, has welcomed me and made me feel at home. So I settled in very quickly as well.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Who has been your closest friend at training?
Shaun October: Emmanuel Hayford (we are definitely very close), as well Selasi [Adjei] and “Blackie” Quaku [Kweku Andoh]. They are the people who are very close to me.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What of the fans, they have been extremely impressed by your outputs especially when we played Tema Youth, and they have been cheering your every single move and pass. How does that make you feel?
Shaun October: I want to do my best all the time for the club, and for the team. If I can make the fans happy in doing the two things above, then that is a bonus.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What are your ambitions and targets for the Club?
Shaun October: My immediate ambition is to help the club win trophies and do my best at all times for the team.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How would you describe or judge your time here, if at the end or during your stay with Hearts, you get a call-up into the South African [Bafana Bafana] national team?
Shaun October: I will love Hearts of Oak forever in my life, even more than I really do if I get a call to the Bafana Bafana during my time here.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Who are the players you look up to in the world of football and who do you model your game on?
Shaun October: I like [Cristiano] Ronaldo. I like his style of play because he is the best in the world. But in my position, I like Marcelo [Brazilian left-back with Real Madrid]. I try to watch and learn from him and how he goes about his business.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: We have heard you keep a picture of former Hearts player and legend Bernard Dong Bortey in your home, how true is it?
Shaun October: No, that is not true because I think someone heard me wrong. We do not have Dong Bortey’s picture in our living room at home. Dong Bortey’s picture is at the Santos FC office in South Africa. They have it in one of the offices in the Club. That is where the picture is.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Have you seen him play, where you there when Bernard Dong Bortey scored that long-range goal from his own half, against Santos in 2004?
Shaun October: Yes, I saw him play in Cape Town when Hearts played Santos way back, and I remember his beautiful goal too.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What do you do after training?
Shaun October: Mostly, I just stay at home and prepare myself for the next day of training. But if not, I go to the [Accra Shopping] Mall with my friends. I like watching sports and music videos. I like to listen to music too.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Who is your favorite musician, and have you settled on any Ghanaian artiste?
Shaun October: I like to listen to Hip-Hop and R&B. I like many artistes from Hip-Hop and R&B too; but in Ghana, I like Kwesi Pee’s music. He is my good friend and I like listening to all of his songs.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Have you picked up any of the local languages?
Shaun October: I am learning a bit of Twi and Ga.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What can you say in those languages, can you give me a sentence?
Shaun October: [He laughs]. “Medaase for the call”. [Thank you for the call in Twi]
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Can we ask a relationship question? Are you in a relationship?
Shaun October: Yes, I am in a relationship. I have a girlfriend in South Africa.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Our matches are telecast live on Super Sport, and it is very likely the people back home will see you when the league starts. Will that put a lot of pressure on you when the season starts?
Shaun October: No, not at all. I am actually excited about that prospect. I think my folks back home too will be excited about that too. That will be the way we can see each other, so that will be lovely. I will be very excited [not under pressure].
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What do you make of the new changes in the team, the technical team?
Shaun October: I haven’t met any other technical team and Santos is the only team I know. But I feel we have an understanding. I can understand everything they say about the tactics and formation, and they also understand me. There is no language barrier. I like how they go about things and they are very professional. I believe they will send this club to the very top with their methods.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: You have played in a lot of games here, what differences do you see between the Ghanaian game and the South African game?
Shaun October: Ghanaian football is a little bit more difficult than the South African game. But South African football is very much developed in terms of infrastructure.
HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Shaun Mason October, thank you very much for your time. We will catch up with you again.
Shaun October: Thank you very much too, and it is a pleasure talking to you.
What do you think is Shaun October’s best position? If you have watched him play, what has really impressed you about the South African?
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