HI RES ECFC Issue 05 Cardiff_Arsenal U21s - Flipbook - Page 8
what he could offer his side.
“It was really enjoyable. I had a good time, and
the level was much more difficult. Once I
started playing, I thought I was doing well so I
was happy with the minutes I was given. Gary
said I was doing well - just the main thing was
to keep doing what I’m doing and to just enjoy
myself, go with my player and take people on!”
As well as the step up in football standards,
George has had to adjust to the change
in environment as he has joined the first
team set-up and become a member of the
changing room with his new teammates.
“It’s more structured and it is better overall.
know when I can go in the gym, I can leave and
then go to places that we are allowed to go to,
like the Golf and Country Club and those types
of places for rehab.
“It’s more of a strain on the body which takes
getting used to. Even today after training
I was blowing, and I know my body’s just
adjusting to the change. I’ve had to miss a
couple of days now and then, but I feel my
body’s is getting up to speed.
“Everyone has been great welcoming us into
the first team – the players and staff.”
After signing a professional deal, the next
milestone to tick off is the prestigious EFL
League appearance – and George wouldn’t
have long to wait for this moment. George
was named on City’s first team sheet of the
25/26 season away at Doncaster Rovers and
took to the pitch after 77 minutes, replacing
Reece Cole.
Speaking about the special moment George
added: “I don’t think I was as nervous as I
should have been. I think with a bit more
nerves I would have played a bit more like
safer and maybe that would have allowed me
to go into the game a bit more. To play was
huge for me. I was proud.”
Just days later George would make his first
professional start for the Grecians as City
headed to Cheltenham Town in the first round
of the Carabao Cup. Whilst the result didn’t go
8 The Grecian
as City hoped, and a 2-0 defeat saw the club
exit the Cup – it was a special occasion and
something George will learn from.
“Playing the whole game with the first team
players behind you is so helpful,” said George.
“Getting that experience and just being able
to get a proper feel of first team football for 90
minutes was really helpful for me.”
For inspiration, George doesn’t have to look
far. Former academy graduates like Ethan
Ampadu and Ollie Watkins have shown the
path from Exeter to the highest level.
“It shows you there’s a path through Exeter
that you can go to, to get to the top. Seeing
them, especially Ollie Watkins and what
they’re doing is really motivating for me.
None of George’s career so far would have
been possible without the support of his
parents and he was keen to show how
thankful he is to them for their sacrifices.
“My dad used to just take me down to the park
for a bit of football, and then he ended up
driving me like an hour and a half to training
because Exeter was so far from when I lived.
“The amount they have done for me so far is
so much, three times a week for an hour and
a half there and back. They’ve done so much
for me.”
George has made three appearances so far
this season and when asked what his hopes
for this season are, he said: “I just want to
play as much football as I can. I want to enjoy
myself, learn and to get as much game time
as I can.”
George’s story is like so many who have put
the time and effort in during the early days in
the academy to impress and push to become
a professional footballer.
As the EFL celebrates Youth Development
across the three leagues, the chorus from the
Big Bank will always hail the “local lads… who
love the Red and White, because the Academy
is Dynamite!”.
