A YOUNG footballer from Colwyn Bay has celebrated signing terms with Everton.
Oli Watkins-Smith, aged eight, officially signed for the club last Wednesday (May 17), before playing with his new team-mates on the pitch at Goodison Park later that day.
He played his first match at the age of three, initially as a goalkeeper, keeping a clean sheet in the process, but has found his home as a right-winger.
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Everton first scouted Oli in 2019 when he was just four years old, while taking part in a tournament in Mold.
His dad, James, said: “He was quite laid-back about signing for Everton, probably because he’s already been doing it for so long.
“He doesn’t really carried away with any fuss, or anything. He’s quite chilled out about it, really, and just gets on with it.
“We actually thought the Everton scout was a tournament representative at first; when I told him he was four, the scout was like: ‘Wow, we need to get him in’.
“He loves Everton, and Everton are brilliant with him. He’s like an old-fashioned right winger – he’s quick and loves a cross – so they call him (former Everton winger) Andrei Kanchelskis!”
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Oli has been playing with his brother’s under-10s team, two years above his own age group, for Conwy Borough FC.
Having previously also represented Glan Conwy, Oli will give up grassroots football at the end of this season, before training at the club’s Finch Farm site three times a week and playing matches on Sundays.
But his dad said the additional commitments both he and his son will have to make are a pleasure, rather than a chore.
James added: “We took him down to Finch Farm on Wednesday, and they all had a meal and a tactics session.
“Then, they got the bus to Goodison Park, and a lot of the parents stood by the players’ entrance and set off a load of flares and sang Everton songs as the bus came in, like when the first team arrives on matchdays.
Everton under 8’s arriving to sign contracts with the club. Absolutely brilliant for the young lads and we hope they enjoyed there day 👏🏼 💙 pic.twitter.com/KBPZLmBH9A
— A View From The Bullens (@thebullensview) May 17, 2023
“Then they had a match up on the pitch, with their photos up on the big screen, and then went inside with (director of football) Kevin Thelwell for a few photos. It was a good day for him.
“I love taking him; what could be better than watching your kid play football four times a week?”
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