I COULD WRITE A BOOK ON BLUES
Stones ace Watt on eventful career
FROM being praised by Arsene Wenger as he made his breakthrough at Arsenal, to dealing with the strange dynamics of Glenn Tamplin’s Billericay Town, Sanchez Watt has been through so much during a wide-ranging football career.
Still only 29, the skilful forward has already been involved in three promotions, the latest as a title-winner with Wealdstone. It was an impressive achievement, even if players and supporters weren’t able to share their joy after the season ended prematurely.
“Making other people happy while doing something you love, there’s no better job than that in the world. Not having the chance to see the fans celebrating, and that passion, was hard. That moment was just taken away, but you’ve just got to take the positives from it,” says Watt, who believes a strong squad and great togetherness were integral to Wealdstone’s success.
“Even in training, you need competition. If you’ve got just an 11 with no fear of losing their place, you’re not getting promoted.
There has to be a bond off the pitch. The players have to gel together. That’s very important. That’s what I’ve learnt.”
It also helped that Dean Brennan was able to get the best out of his team. Watt had previously worked with the Wealdstone manager at Hemel Hempstead, where they developed a close relationship that has continued to go from strength to strength.
Identity
“We just connected. If a manager’s your friend, you just get on better. He’s not like my boss, he’s like family. Me and him, we’ve just got this history. We’ve always stayed in touch since we first met. It’s good to be champions together and go all the way.”
Watt became accustomed to attacking football and silverware from a young age, when he was picked up by Arsenal. Throughout the 15 years that he spent with the club, they always had a clear identity.
“In that Wenger era, it went straight from the first team all the way down to the youth team. Looking back at it now, we were basically the only team that was playing that way. It was a big learning curve for me,” recalls Watt.
He was part of a promising group of young players, including Jack Wilshere, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Craig Eastmond, who all came through the ranks together and remain good friends.
“We were with each other from seven or eight years old. We had such a good bond because our families knew each other. We were going abroad and winning things.
“We just knew each other inside-out. We knew our strengths and our weaknesses. It was just a blessing to be with good players like that and watch each other progress.”
In 2009, Arsenal’s under-18s won the Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup, cementing their status as the best in the country. Watt scored in both legs of the final against Liverpool and was soon making his professional debut amid fierce competition for places, which spurred him on even more.
“The first team had players that were going to the World Cup, who you were trying to compete with. Those players were playing 90 minutes, week in, week out. No questions asked. So it was a bit difficult and more demanding, but I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
After several loan spells, including at Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday, Watt signed permanently for Colchester United. Aside from injury troubles, it was an enjoyable period that ended with a move to India to play for Kerala Blasters.
Turbulent
“They were treating footballers like gods. Cricket was their thing, but they worshipped football. You’d get 70,000 fans at a home game. You can just imagine the noise they were making. The fireworks, and the whole atmosphere,” he says.
On his return to England, injuries affected Watt’s opportunities. He briefly returned to Crawley Town before joining Billericay, who were in the midst of a turbulent transformation. It was the perfect opportunity to play regularly for an ambitious club while having more time to spend with his young family, but issues mount- ed off the field.
“One day I’m going to have to write a book, because you wouldn’t even believe what was going on down there!” laughs Watt. “That team won the treble, but I couldn’t handle it any more. I had to go. It was toxic. Even though it was a good place, it was like the end of the world if you lost one game.”
In future, Watt is keen to use these varied experiences to assist the next generation of players. Although his plans for next season are still undecided, he knows what he wants to do long term. An enthusiastic character, he remains eager to learn and to help others do the same as a coach.
“When I went to do my PFA coaching badge there was Ashley Cole, Patrice Evra, Darren Bent. I had a good two weeks of talking to them, hearing about their experiences.
“When I was with them, I was asking them questions. I always tell youngsters, when you’re around players that have done a lot of things, ask them questions. Learn. Don’t be shy, or big-time. Learn something,” says Watt.
“I’ve been going back to Arsenal and helping out with the kids. I’m looking to get my badges and give back to the youth.”