Colin Watson was plagued with injuries most of the 2016 NPSL season which has left him wanting more for the coming spring. The Lancashire, Britain native, who plays his college ball at Seton Hill, left the UK to pursue an opportunity of playing high level soccer while earning a degree. An opportunity Watson says doesn’t really exist overseas.
Watson made limited appearances for the club last summer, but when he did his impact was definitely felt in the backline, specifically in a 1-0 win at Lansing United.
“That was a great win and performance on the road. The main thing I remember was it being a grass pitch, made me feel like I was back at home in the UK! But yeah it was a great feeling playing a part in getting the win and I think that gave us a great boost in the rest of the season,” said Watson about his one of his more memorable moments from 2016.
Watson will be competing for playing time in a very talented group of defenders but he’s hopeful to make more of an impact for The Mighty Oak in Season Tree.
Read our full interview with Colin below:
AFC: It's exciting to have some familiar faces returning to Ann Arbor this summer. What made you so eager to come back and spend 2017 with The Mighty Oak?
Colin: It’s great to see some of the same faces coming back, I think that speaks for itself really with how many people are returning it shows just how good of an experience it was overall. Even though it was a bit disappointing for me personally with my injuries, everyone involved in the club and the fans all made it as enjoyable as it could have been. On a personal level though i'm eager to come back and hopefully be injury free and have more of an impact on the pitch.
AFC: Injuries limited your match time a bit in 2016. What do you hope to accomplish with the club this summer?
Colin: It was a bit frustrating for me last year with my injuries but I think that’s made me that bit hungrier to come back stronger this year. After losing in the playoffs last year I think we will all have the belief that we can go a couple steps further this year and become champions ourselves. Im also really looking forward to being involved in the U.S open cup, I think that will be a great experience for everyone and we will look to try and cause some upsets and go as far as we can.
AFC: You helped lead AFC to a 1-0 win over Coach Rudland's former team Lansing United on the road last year. What stood out to you about that match and how did it feel to get the result?
Colin: Yeah that was a great win and performance on the road, the main thing I remember was it being a grass pitch, made me feel like I was back at home in the UK! But yeah it was a great feeling playing a part in getting the win and I think that gave us a great boost in the rest of the season.
AFC: You came to the US to play college soccer in PA at Seton Hill. What inspired you to leave England on this journey? What's next for you on this adventure?
Colin: I think the key thing that inspired me to come to the U.S was the opportunity to pursue a soccer career whilst studying for a university degree. There isn't really opportunities like that back in the UK it’s either one or the other. I'm not sure what’s next to be honest I’ve still got one year left of college so i'm just taking it one step at a time at the minute and focusing on the summer ahead, then will go from there.