Conor (left) and Josh Gallagher pictured after an England game at Euro 2024
In the realm of football, brothers Conor and Josh Gallagher occupy distinctly different spheres.
One plies his trade for Atletico Madrid, boasting an impressive tally of 22 England caps, a decisive goal against Real Madrid last season, and participation in Euro 2024 with the Three Lions.
The other, a former player for Leatherhead and Corinthian Casuals, now manages Chertsey Town, a part-time club competing in the seventh tier of English football.
Despite their contrasting trajectories, Conor, 25, and Josh, 32, maintain a close bond, offering mutual support and engaging in daily phone conversations.
“Before each Chertsey game, there’s a good luck message or phone call from Conor and vice-versa,” Josh revealed to BBC Sport.
“Conor is living the dream but always asks about Chertsey. He’ll see a result and ask: ‘what happened there?'”
As Conor, the former Chelsea midfielder, prepares for Atletico Madrid’s Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield next Wednesday, Josh’s attention is focused on a significant match for his own team.
Chertsey is set to host Cray Valley Paper Mills at their Alwyns Lane ground, which has a capacity of 2,500, in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
A victory would secure the Curfews a £3,375 prize and bring them within two wins of reaching the first round proper for the first time in their 135-year history.
Conor celebrates scoring Atletico Madrid’s winner against Real Madrid in La Liga on 12 March
The Gallagher family comprises four brothers, all of whom have played football at either professional or non-league level.
Jake, Josh’s elder twin by seven minutes, began his career at Millwall and has accumulated over 200 National League appearances for Welling and Aldershot.
Meanwhile, Dan, 28, represents Dorking Wanderers in National League South, having previously been associated with Wimbledon.
The three older brothers have played a pivotal role in Conor’s footballing journey, from Bookham Colts to Atletico Madrid, with loan spells at Charlton, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion, and Crystal Palace.
The England international has often emphasized the importance of family and values the guidance of his brothers, as well as his parents, Lee and Samantha.
Speaking to the Guardian, external in 2020, Conor shared: “They have always told me to work my hardest and ‘don’t get too big for your boots’.
“They have been on some journeys and they found it hard. They understand that you just have to be confident and they know I’ve got the ability so they don’t want me to waste it.”
In a separate interview with PremierLeague.com, external in March 2024, Conor added: “I love to impress them and when they say I do well, I believe them because they’re very honest with me.
“I’m very lucky to have a mum, dad and brothers like I do. I couldn’t be luckier.”
Conor (left) with his older brothers Josh (second left), Jake and Dan (right)
Josh made several trips to the Spanish capital last season to support Conor during his Atletico Madrid matches.
In April 2024, prior to his £33m transfer from Chelsea to Atletico, Conor was among the 315 spectators who watched Raynes Park Vale, then managed by Josh, play against Hartley Wintney, external in the eighth tier of English football.
Could Conor be expected to travel from Spain to watch Chertsey in the Southern League Premier Division South in the near future?
“It’s possible,” Josh added. “La Liga has a winter break and Conor comes back to England for about a week. There’s a chance we might see him at a game around then.
“He was back last weekend during the international break to see us all, but we had an away game at Poole and it was a bit too far for him to travel.
“He likes being around it. I actually think it helps him.
“It’s nice for him to see his brothers playing or managing at a lower level, where the facilities aren’t so good, the pitches aren’t so great, you’ve got referees who are not at the top level.
“Conor hasn’t been used to that because he grew up at Chelsea and has always been in a professional environment.”
Conor’s journey to the top, however, has not been without its challenges. He was sent out on numerous loans by Chelsea before finally establishing himself in the first team, and he underwent minor heart surgery in 2018 to correct an irregular heartbeat.
“People don’t realize the things he has been through to reach the level he is at,” Josh stated.
“He doesn’t take it for granted. He’s worked extremely hard for it and made sacrifices.
“I’m extremely proud of Conor, but I’m also extremely proud of all my brothers and my family.”
The Gallagher brothers with mum Samantha and dad Lee
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