Ollie Watkins’ Rise From Non League To England Hero

Ollie Watkins may be the most popular footballer in England at the minute. The 28 year-olds 90th minute heroics to send the Three Lions to the Euro 2024 final will be a talking point for years to come.

A moment that fits the story of Ollie Watkins’ career perfectly. A fairytale rise from National League Conference South to superstardom.

Prouder than ever. pic.twitter.com/oYVcmU69q8

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 10, 2024

Watkins started his career with Exeter City, signing for the clubs academy at the age of ten years old - having failed a trial with the Grecians a year prior.

Having risen through the ranks at youth level, scoring 30 goals for the U18 side, Watkins was given his first-team debut for Exeter against Hartlepool United in a 2-0 victory to end the 2013/14 season.

The following campaign would see Watkins score his first goal for Exeter in a 3-1 loss to Coventry City in the EFL Cup, making a further three appearances for his local club. However, the lack of senior opportunities would lead to a loan to Conference South side Weston-super-Mare for the remainder of the 2014/15 season.

Watkins registered 10 goals in 25 appearances while on loan with the Non League side. "He did extremely well, but it was not just in terms of the goals and the way that he played, it was the way that he bought into it all.

"The environment was right for him. He fitted in with the lads and his attitude was great. He handled that modest success really well. He didn't get too big for his boots by any stretch of the imagination.

"The more I worked with him and focused on what he did in the game, the hungrier he got to do well. That was one of the key reasons why I felt he would go on to do well in the game and I think it will stand him in good stead throughout his career” said former Weston-super-Mare manager Ryan Northmore.

The Ollie Watkins post.

Dreams do come true 🤍🖤 https://t.co/KKF10fDKor pic.twitter.com/Y89bGeIrtk

— Weston-super-Mare AFC (@WSM_AFCOfficial) July 10, 2024

The England international credits his time in pushing him to become the player he is today;

"To be honest, it made me think: 'I don't want to come back here, so I need to make sure I work hard, and aim to be playing at a higher level, and try to be successful in my career.”

"And that is in no way disrespectful to non-League, but it gives you the determination to push on, and motivates you."

Watkins would return his loan spell with a new found confidence, breaking into the Exeter starting eleven.

Ollie Watkins played at Weston-super-Mare in the Conference South on loan from Exeter City a decade ago. “I never thought I’d be playing in the Euros for England. Obviously, you can dream but I’m a realist. I was focusing on getting back into the first team at Exeter. I put in a…

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) July 10, 2024

A fantastic spell in March, which saw the youngster score four goals in six appearances - winning Football League Young Player of the Month and PFA Young Player of the Month in the process. With 9 goals in 22 appearances to end the 2015/16 season, many believed that Watkins was on the way to realising his potential.

The 2016/17 campaign would see Watkins become a mainstay in the Grecians starting line-up, registering 16 goals and 13 assists in 52 appearances. Watkins would be awarded the EFL Young Player of the Year award due to his contributions for an Exeter side which reached the League Two playoff final, losing 2-1 to Blackpool.

Some things don't change hey?#Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/FgA1GOSMD0

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 11, 2024

A step up in competition would be next on the agenda for Watkins, securing a £1.8m move to Championship side Brentford in July 2017. Watkins would take no time to adjust to life in a higher division, scoring 49 goals in 143 appearances for the Bees.

His final season with Brentford would be his best to date at the time, recording 26 goals in all competitions.

However, the attackers' experience in playoff finals would remain the same as Brentford would lose the 2020 Championship playoff final to Fulham.

“I normally call him the beast,” said Brentford manager, Thomas Frank. “He’s a remarkable player and person. He’s so dedicated. Of course, he wants to be top scorer, but that’s not his main aim.

“He’s so dedicated to improving every single day, so he’s a coach’s dream because of course we want to focus on little details. We’ve been working very hard on his positions and how to run in the box and the link up play.”

“Overall he’s just improved massively as a player and also as part of the leading group,” Frank added. “He’s driving the team. Look out there how hard he works – it’s a joy to have a striker like that.”

From Brentford to Berlin. 🐝🦁 pic.twitter.com/kEIpfpvHwO

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 11, 2024

Despite narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League with Brentford, Aston Villa had no problem smashing their record transfer fee to bring the former Exeter City striker to Villa Park.

Aston Villa would pay £28m, which could rise to £33m for Watkins - reuniting the striker with the man who originally brought the striker to Brentford, Dean Smith. Exeter would receive £4m due to a sell-on clause agreed with Brentford at the time of his departure.

Watkins would make his debut for Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup, scoring against Burton Albion in a 3-1 victory - a sign of things to come for the club-record signing. Watkins has scored 70 goals in 169 appearances for Aston Villa, including a career best 27 goals and 13 assists during the 2023/24 campaign - winning the Premier League Playmaker Award.

"When he is scoring goals, it's the main objective he can have. Where he is assisting as well, he's contributing to help the team.

But even when he's not doing both, he's working for the team.

"Defensively, the commitment was always high. He is in the press to the opponent. "His commitment and behaviour is always a very good example for others. His power is his mind. His mentality is the best quality he has” said current Aston Villa manager on the high flying forward.

Raw emotion. pic.twitter.com/MFx8NjYqmX

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024

Watkins’ rise doesn’t stop at club football, as his international career has reached heights that he would have dreamed of.

Having never played for England at any youth level, the striker received his first call-up to Gareth Southgate’s squad in 2018 for World Cup qualification matches. Watkins would make an instant impression, scoring on his debut against San Marino with his first shot on target for the Three Lions.

“It's what I've dreamed of. Never did I think it would happen quite so soon. There have been a lot of days sat in the stands, travelling to games and not getting a sniff. But I just kept training and working hard."

Almost a year later and Watkins was back on the scoresheet for England, having put the ball in the back of the net against Ivory Coast in what was his first start for his country. Watkins would also be named in England’s provisional squad for Euro 2020 but was not selected for the final squad.

It would take 18 months for Watkins to receive another call to the England squad, this time being selected for Euro 2024 off the back of an incredible campaign with Aston Villa.

✨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Ollie Watkins: “I swear on my life, my kid’s life, I said to Cole Palmer: we’re coming on today and you’re gonna set me up”.

27 goals and 13 assists for Aston Villa this season, his first chance at the Euros and… he scored. pic.twitter.com/VMlRVJdqfn

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2024

A decision that ultimately sent England to another European final, as Watkins’ moment of magic against the Netherlands secured England a date with Spain for the Euro 2024 crown.

"I said to Cole Palmer: 'We're coming on today and you're going to set me up'," said Watkins. "I knew, as soon as he got the ball, he was going to play me in and you've got to be greedy. Touch, finish and when I saw it go in the bottom corner, it was the best feeling ever."