How did you feel about making your Dartford FC debut?
It was a great experience. A little bit nerve wracking, but I’m so glad to have got my goal and helped to get The Darts through to the next round of The Kent Senior Cup.
How does it feel to be part of the First Team?
Special; there is a great atmosphere within the First Team. The lads are always welcoming and it’s nice to feel like part of the club now.
Has any of the First Team given you any advice?
Deren always gives me feedback on my performances and tells me what I should be working on and how to improve. Pughy is always helping me – he’s like an older brother to me, whilst Deren is like my younger older brother! Kaka and Ebou are always supportive as well. I went to the same school as Ebou and we’re really good mates.
What is it like being in the First Team?
It’s really good. The players are great and they treat me like one of them – a senior player when I’m in the changing room and on the pitch, and not as an Academy player. I spend most of my time with Ebou and Deren – they sort of look after me.
How have the rest of the Academy Team responded to your First Team call up?
They’re all buzzing and happy for me. Everyone is good. The vibe is good in the camp and everyone is starting to get their chances. After the bad episode in the youth cup, it’s good that some of us are trying to get through to the first team. The chances are now there for the taking as myself, Ben Francis and Richard Seixas have proved.
How have your Mum and Dad reacted to your call up to the First Team?
They were happy for me. Mum said to me ‘Do what you know you can do. You’ve been given the opportunity now go and show the manager and the players and fans what you can do’ – I think Monday night proved that. Unfortunately my Mum and Dad missed the match as I have a younger brother and a younger sister at home so it was too late for them. I only told them when I got home that I had scored and they were surprised but so pleased for me.
What are you hoping to achieve from the remainder of the season?
I want to be the Dartford Academy top goal scorer – I’m currently on 6 goals at the minute in all competitions for Dartford. With Dartford I hope we can win the Youth League and Conference Cup. I currently also play for Rochester on loan, and by Christmas I hope to move up to a higher team in the Ryman League so I can gain more first team experience. With regards to the Dartford FC First Team I hope to I get the opportunity to be selected more and score those goals to help get the team back to where we deserve to be.