Howieson determined to make an impact
Cameron Howieson is back in New Zealand to kickstart his professional football career.
The 21-year-old spent the last five-and-a-half years playing in the United Kingdom, predominantly with Burnley before a move to Scottish second division club St Mirren last season.
He started well at Burnley, jumping from the youth team to a professional contract after his first season, but managed just seven minutes of first team experience across the next three seasons after Sean Dyche replaced Eddie Howe as manager.
‘‘I did really well my first two seasons, then didn’t do as well as I wanted in my last few years,’’ he said.
‘‘We had a change of manager and a different type of manager came in and didn’t really see me in his plans. That made it very difficult and I got injured one preseason, which obviously didn’t help my cause.’’
A season watching the team play in the Premier League in 2014-15 was to be Howieson’s last at the club. It was a harsh lesson in the realities of life as a professional footballer, but an experience he said he still enjoyed.
‘‘It’s hard for young players coming through, unless you’re very talented and special. Clubs seem to go out and buy players, which can be frustrating, but it’s something which is normal in football in the UK.’’
His contract was not extended by St Mirren at the end of last season after playing 15 games, which left him with a big career decision to make.
He trialled at Bolton while dabbling in a bit of personal training, and had offers from clubs in the UK, but when Team Wellington coach Jose Figueira came calling he decided it was time to return to New Zealand.
‘‘I looked at the offers, but it was more moving and chopping and changing. I just wanted to settle down somewhere and try do well and thought coming home might be the best option for me.
‘‘I just want to enjoy my football. At times I haven’t enjoyed myself, so I want to have fun and hopefully with the fun being back, people over here can see my playing ability and bigger things will come up in the next few years.’’
Team Wellington’s Stirling Sports Premiership title defence starts tomorrow against Auckland City at Kiwitea Street.
Howieson said the squad was looking sharp, although it might take a couple of games before they really start to fire.
‘‘With Jose coming here with a playing style he wants the team to play, hopefully we can go out and do what he’s tactically asking us to do.
‘‘There are people out there who will be expecting big things from us and from what I’ve seen so far there will be big things happening, but it might just take a couple of weeks to gel.’’
The biggest adjustment for Howieson might be Wellington’s wind. ’’There is more wind in Wellington than I expected. I’ve only probably been here twice in my life - people from here told me it was windy, but I didn’t expect it to be this windy.’’