Kurt makes leap to win over Rebel fans
STRIKER CLIMBS TWO DIVISIONS TO MAKE HIS MARK AT FC UNITED
FC UNITED striker Kurt Willoughby climbed two leagues when he joined the National League North side in the summer, but you wouldn’t think so judging by his recent form.
The 21-year-old has already scored seven league goals, plus one in the FA Cup, and after starting the season with a poor run of results, things are starting to look up.
FC United were stuck in the relegation zone having won just one of their first 12 league games, but since Neil Reynolds was announced as their new manager in October they are unbeaten in five, winning three and drawing two.
FC United claimed a brilliant 3-1 win at Hereford last weekend, with Willoughby scoring, and the striker has praised the impact of Reynolds at the club.
He said: “He’s come off the back of a good couple of seasons at Bamber Bridge.
“He’s brought some good players with him as well and they’ve fit in really well.
“We’re unbeaten in five and we want to keep that going for as long as possible.”
After signing from Evo-Stik North division side Clitheroe to make the move up two divisions, the former Fleetwood Town academy player has risen to the occasion.
“It has been a big step-up and I feel I’ve adapted well,” he said. “There’s a lot of things different, but the main thing is the fitness levels – teams are a lot fitter and stronger.
“I did my own stuff in pre-season and got myself fit – I’ve started pretty much every game and I think I’ve done alright. It’s been a big step up, but a good one.”
The path Willoughby has taken is by no means a new one. Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, who also played for Fleetwood Town, is arguably the finest recent example of a player who worked his way up the football pyramid, becoming an established England international, as well as a Premier League recordbreaker and winner. Willoughby was recently called up to England’s C team, an experience he felt invaluable, but hopes won’t be the last. He said: “It was great. It was a massive opportunity and a big thing for me to be called up. We played against Estonia Under-23s at Leyton Orient’s ground, so we met up for a few days and had training - that was a really high standard, a lot of the players there had played in the Football League. “Hopefully I can go back again. “Like everyone I want to play as high as I can. My aim is to be playing football full-time, I used to play full-time at Fleetwood but dropped down to non-league. That’s when I joined AFC Blackpool and started moving my way back up. I want to Kurt Willoughby keep pushing on and see what level I can play at.”
It is fair to say Willoughby has settled in well at his new club, and he feels that the FC United supporters are a key reason he has show such good form on the pitch.
He said: “The fans are one of the biggest reasons why I came to FC United. They all support you whether you win lose or draw.
“They make personal chants for you when is good to hear during the game. There were 300 plus at Hereford on Saturday which was great.”
FC United will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run when they welcome AFC Telford to Broadhurst Park on Saturday, and if his current goalscoring form is anything to go by, Willoughby will have the FC United fans chanting yet again.