Ollie Watkins: From Weston-Super-Mare To The England National Side

“I can remember going to Whitehawk away, the pitch was terrible, the changing rooms were tiny and compact, it was wet and rainy outside and it was the worst possible day ever because we lost as well.”

It has been six years since Ollie Watkins, called up to the England national side today for the first time, was grinding out his minutes in National League South. His rise from non-league into the Premier League has been swift, exceptional and nothing short of inspirational. From his days toiling away for Weston-super-Mare in the sixth tier of English football, never in his wildest dreams would the now 25 year old have expected to be named in the national squad, as they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against San Marino in a week’s time. Pace, power and a natural finishing ability combine with his fox-in-the-box mentality to allow the recently signed Aston Villa striker to lead the line with devastating effect. Now, with international football soon to be added to the résumé, the sky is very much the limit.

Born in the rural market town of Newton Abbot in Devon, a young Watkins spent his childhood travelling to the nearby coast to watch Torquay United every now and then with his father, but it was at Exeter where he joined at under-11 level after being rejected at his first trial as a nine-year-old. The imposing forward would spend a further 11 years at the club, making 68 first-team appearances before being snapped up by Championship side Brentford. Watkins would only make a handful of appearances before being sent out on loan to then National League South side, Weston-super-Mare. It was during his stay on the Westerly English Riviera that Watkins would discover his goalscoring prowess, scoring 10 goals in 24 games, whilst also harvesting the iconic quote during an away match at Whitehawk. It’s lovely in the sun, I promise!

Having impressed out on loan for the remainder of the 2014/15 season, the previous manager of Exeter City, Paul Tisdale, would finally incorporate the then 20 year old into his League Two side’s plans. This was to be the catalyst for all that has since passed. A blistering month of March in 2016 earned the striker the Football League Young Player of the Month Award, as the confidence began to ooze from his boots. The obligatory fans’ favourite award was received later that season, as a brace against rivals Plymouth Argyle secured a memorable comeback. The season after, he was awarded the EFL Young Player of the Year for a fifteen-goal campaign, despite it ending on a sour note as his side lost to Blackpool in the League Two play-off final. More devastation for the cathedral city of Exeter was to follow soon after, as Watkins departed for West London for a reported fee of £1.8 million.

Not the worst investment, either, as the Devon native spent three seasons in the capital before making the prized switch to the Midlands. Two consecutive 10-goal seasons to start life raised a few eyebrows from the Premiership clubs sniffing above, but it was not until the third, and final, season that would cause a frenzy from the big spenders. A clinically ruthless 26-goal season was to ironically end with yet another play-off final defeat but, by now, there was meagre chance that Watkins would remain a Championship player for the following season. Oh, almost forgot that he, too, received the small accolade of Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season following its conclusion. Another rather impressive addition to the trophy cabinet.

Impressive indeed was his £28 million price tag, which Aston Villa graciously paid just prior to the start of this season, breaking their transfer record in the process. A smattering of goals throughout the ongoing season have certainly shown the capabilities of Watkins, but one must feel there is more to come. Nevertheless, a remarkable hat trick in an even more remarkable 7-2 victory over champions Liverpool undoubtedly portrayed his ability to score inside the box, as part of his 'position of maximum opportunity' theory that he adopted whilst at Brentford. A ten-goal season to date puts him joint sixth in the goal rankings, level with Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette. Having been firmly in the spotlight this season, playing in every match thus far for the Villains, it is indisputable to suggest that manager Dean Smith highly favours the forward.

So too, it seems, does Gareth Southgate, after it was announced today that Watkins’ rise through the leagues had met its final call, the national side. A whirlwind career, which is still in its fledgling stage, sees the former non-leaguer in an England shirt for the upcoming qualifiers. There is little question of the immense talent that England already possess in the forward positions - Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Dominic-Calvert Lewin, Raheem Sterling. All these have shone at the elite level for a longer duration, but the potential that lies in front of Watkins is seemingly boundless. It has been six years since the £28 million man was languishing deep in non-league. Now, he receives his maiden call up to the national side. At this rapid rate of progression, who’s to argue just how prolific he may become in the many years that lie ahead.