Ebanks tipped to star for the Robins
Striker’s former coach says he has the ability to reach the top,
CALLUM Ebanks has the ability to go all the way to the top, according to his former coach in youth football.
The centre forward, who turns 18 next week, has signed a three-year professional contract with Cheltenham Town.
He did not start playing football until the age of 13, but his progress since then has been rapid.
Ebanks’ talent earned him a trial at Walsall, but he was not taken on and signed for Sunday League side Tantany Lions Under-16s.
The Lions’ chairman Leighton Gabbidon knew of Ebanks through his son Lamar, who was on trial with the Saddlers at the same time.
“My son told me if we signed Callum we’d win the league,” Gabbidon said.
“We did and he scored in every match, ending the season with about 25.
“I used to call him ‘the goal machine’ and he was absolutely brilliant for us and feared by every defender in the league.”
Ebanks also had a trial at Birmingham City at Under-16 level, but again he was not taken on.
It was through his brief spell with the Blues that Cheltenham became aware of him and he joined the Robins, quickly being promoted to the Under18s.
Gabbidon believes that if Ebanks had started playing at an earlier age, he’d already be on the books of a Premier League club.
“Callum understands the game and he is extremely hard working,” he said.
“I know he’ll go far and I am so proud to see him signing his first professional contract at Cheltenham.
“I honestly believe if he’d started at the age of seven like my son, he’d be at Manchester United by now.
“I’m an Aston Villa fan and one day I know I’ll see him playing at Villa Park for a top level club.”
Ebanks, whose father is Jamaican and mother is British, grew up next to The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion.
“He has the personality to win over whoever he works with because he concentrates well and is very respectful,” Gabbidon said.
“In one game we were winning 5-2 and we had a defender sent off. Callum run over and told me to take him off as he understood we needed an extra defender and I think this shows how selfless he is as a player.
“He messaged me to thank me for everything when he signed his contract.
“As a club, Tantany Lions are proud to see him come through and get to this stage, but it’s his attitude is what’s got him where he is now.”
During the first year of Ebanks’ scholarship in 2019/20, he netted four goals in an 8-4 FA Youth Cup triumph over Portsmouth, earning the young Robins a home tie against Arsenal in round three.
He joined Midland Premier League side Worcester City on loan to gain senior first team experience.
This summer he was due to join Evesham United on loan and he appeared against Cheltenham for Evesham and Stratford Town in pre-season friendlies.
He then appeared as a substitute for his parent club at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate, having impressed boss Michael Duff with his performances against Cheltenham’s senior defenders.
Ebanks then scored the winner for Evesham against Bishop’s Cleeve in another warm-up game.
With non-league clubs in the area queuing up to take him on loan, he suffered a minor knee injury which has delayed his start to the campaign.
But Duff had seen enough to reward him with a long-term professional contract at the age of 17.
I know he’ll go far and I am so proud to see him signing his first professional contract at Cheltenham