England’s semi-final hero Ollie Watkins may now be on the brink of national heroism, but his professional career has been an unconventional one, one that was spring boarded by an early loan spell at Weston-super-Mare AFC.

Watkins’ 90th minute winner against the Netherlands took England’s men through to their second European final in a row but his life in elite football has not been quite as straightforward as the rest of his England cohort.

In fact the Devon born striker was still playing non-league football with The Seagulls less than a decade ago during a loan spell away from Exeter.

Having grown up in Newton Abott, Devon, Watkins joined Exeter City’s youth academy at the age of 11 where he rose through their age groups and into the fringes of their first team by the time he was 18.

He would make his senior debut in the 2013/14 season, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Hartlepool United, but consistent football was hard to find at the League One club and so a loan move to Weston-super-Mare AFC was called upon in December 2014.

During his time with The Seagulls Watkins went from a fringe player at Exeter to the line-leading star striker with pace and power that we now see so regularly.

Manager Mickey Bell made great use of Watkins’ talents during his time at The Optima Stadium, giving him starts and lengthy minutes in 25 games during his six-month stint there.

Watkins rewarded Bell’s faith in him with 10 goals in his 25 appearances in all competitions, stats that were enough to earn him a move back to Exeter for the 2015/16 season where he quickly became a first team regular.

He became Exeter’s star striker the following season, recording 16 goals and 13 assists in 2016/17 before making a move to Championship side Brentford and then on to Aston Villa in 2020.

He continued his imperious rise to the top of English football at Villa, running riot through defences until he earned his first England call up from Gareth Southgate in 2021.

The rest, you could say, is history.

Although Watkins may not have been made in Weston, and his fame found far beyond the field of The Optima, there can be no doubt in the role The Seagulls and their club played in the development England’s latest superstar.

He has put the name of a sixth-tier seaside town club that he played for a decade ago into the headlines of the national papers and inspired a new generation of Southwest footballers.

As if to predict the success of their shared star alum, Weston will be playing Exeter City in a pre-season friendly on Friday July 12th, a fixture organised far before Watkins’ semi-final antics. A premonition of the future from the two clubs perhaps.

Weston-super-Mare Club Director Alex Crowther spoke about Watkins’ time at Weston. He said: “Everybody at the club was delighted to see Ollie get the winning goal on Wednesday.

“People who knew him during his time all have the same things to say. That he was hardworking, polite, and had undeniable talent.

“We’re looking forward to playing Exeter on Friday (July 12th) in a pre-season game, which will give us all a chance to reflect back on his journey.”

Weston will play Exeter at The Optima stadium on July 12th, kick-off 7:00pm, with tickets still available online or at the door.