Eweka hopes to follow Max’s path
Maidenhead United FC: New signing keen to excel after move from Robins
Temi Eweka says witnessing Max Kilman’s meteoric rise to the Premier League was one of the reasons he was keen to join Maidenhead United, when the 22-yearold spoke to the Advertiser regarding his transfer this week.
Eweka was announced as Alan Devonshire’s first signing ahead of the new season last week (May 26), arriving from Bracknell Town who will be spending the forthcoming campaign in the Southern League Premier Division South.
With the Robins, he played as a centre-back alongside Dan Bayliss and last season the duo managed to score more goals (14) than concede (12), an achievement that would have undoubtedly been brought to Devonshire’s attention.
Now due to compete in the National League, Eweka believes he has the traits and skillset necessary for the step up and is hoping to be a lucrative asset just like defender Kilman, who signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2018 after 39 successful appearances for the Magpies.
Speaking about the move to York Road, Eweka said: “So, I spoke to a few clubs as I knew I was going to leave Bracknell at the end of the season, and I knew that Dev had been to watch me a few times.
“Seeing a few people in my position, like Max Kilman, do so well at Maidenhead and then go on to do even better definitely gave me the motivation to join. It’s exactly what I want to do – I want to step up the leagues and improve myself.
“Another key reason was Tarps (Dave Tarpey), who I was obviously in the changing room with for the whole year at Bracknell. I can only sing his praises. He knew Maidenhead were interested and he just spoke to me all about the club, the philosophy, and how I would fit in.
“I am confident in my ability to make the step up and hopefully I can show the fans at York Road what I am capable of. I like to think I’m quick, I’m strong and I’m good in the air.
“But most importantly, whenever I play football, I leave everything out there because you never know when it could be your last game.
“When I was younger, I used to pray to just get the opportunity to play in Ryman South. Now I am in the Conference Premier. Every time I put on the Maidenhead shirt, I will give 100 per cent because I know if I was a fan watching, that’s all I’d ask for.”
On Devonshire’s welcome, Eweka added: “I just know we are going to get along. He met my mum and my sister, and he was having a good, proper conversation with them.
“I still speak to a couple of people who have previously played under him too and they keep telling me what a player he is going to turn me into. I am buzzing to get going under him and let him take the reins to make me a better player.”