Kelly Somers Interviews Ollie Watkins
Kelly Somers: Let’s start from the very beginning. I want to know how you developed a passion for football and the first memory you have of having a ball at your feet.
Ollie Watkins: It feels like it was a long time ago!
Kelly: You were so young, you can’t quite recall it…
Ollie: Exactly, I was really young! My mum always says that as soon as I could walk, I was kicking bouncy balls around. Whenever I played outside in the street, I always came back with a football.
Kelly: So, you just took another kid’s football?!
Ollie: I would find different footballs and build a collection. I was playing with my brothers and everything. One day, a friend invited me to join his football practice. That’s how it all began.
First Team Experience
Kelly: That was your initial team. What do you recall about your first session with them?
Ollie: It was definitely a different experience. I was used to playing with friends at the park, but this was more structured. It was still fun, and I discovered I had a knack for it, so I kept at it.
Realizing Potential
Kelly: When did you realize you had a talent that set you apart from other kids?
Ollie: At that age, you just play for fun. There was a player on my team whose dad managed us; he was the best. I just wanted to be as good as him. You don’t think about it too much until you get into academies and start taking it seriously.
Journey to Exeter
Kelly: Your journey hasn’t been conventional. Exeter was your first club, but it wasn’t an easy road, right?
Ollie: No, I attended a trial at nine, but I didn’t make it. They told me to return in six weeks, but I struggled to focus. I needed to just enjoy playing with my friends instead.
Returning to Football
Kelly: So, you didn’t go back after six weeks? You waited two years?
Ollie: Yes, I returned two years later and got into the academy, staying there until I was 21.
Lessons from Loan Spells
Kelly: During your time at Exeter, you also had loan spells, with Weston-super-Mare being significant, correct?
Ollie: Absolutely, that was crucial for my growth. My best friend made his debut at 16, and while I was happy for him, I felt envious. Going on loan helped me learn the realities of playing men’s football, where every match counted for real stakes.
Turning Points
Kelly: You made it at Exeter, and that set the stage for your career. Was there a key moment when you realized how important certain experiences would become for your future success?
Ollie: Definitely, there was an element of luck involved. When I first played for the Exeter first team due to an injury to another player, I scored and stayed in the lineup from then on. Hard work and timing also played significant roles in my success.
