Irish keeper rekindles career in Nelson
Former Northern Ireland under-18 goalkeeper Corey Wilson has joined Nelson Suburbs for the upcoming Mainland Premier League. He spoke with reporter
100 per cent. Someone tagged me in the post. I had played with Davitt back home and knew him quite well ... as soon as I seen me name in the post I thought I’d text Davitt just to see what the outcome is. I thought what’s the chances of actually getting to come over here but within three days Ryan [Stewart] phoned me to say they were interested and I thought this could be my lucky break again to get back into football. It all just happened so fast, within two weeks and my flights were booked and it’s crazy to actually think that I’m here now.
Definitely. When there’s someone here from where I’m from it makes it a lot easier. There’s a guy coming out too, Kristian Gibson, and here’s from Northern Ireland too so having them two around, they know what I’ll be interested in, know what I like and it makes it a lot easier because I’m not on my own. 100 per cent. I’m coming out to play with Nelson Suburbs at the start and I want to do my best for them. But if I can impress there and the coach from Tasman sees me and thinks that I’m good enough then it gives me a chance. Hopefully I can come into Tasman and be No 1, that would be ideal, but if not I can come along and maybe take over the goalkeeper coaching role and push myself into the team. I started CW Goalkeeping up about a year ago. I thought there wasn’t much goalkeeping about in the city and parents were crying out for it. Kids were going to training but they were doing possession drills and outfield stuff but that’s not going to benefit a ‘keeper of that age. They need to be doing the right techniques. There’s no point a goalkeeper doing running drills all day. I opened it up and it really took off from there and I have loads of kids on board. It was massive. One or two games were on Sky Sports and as a young boy playing on TV was just so surreal, watching the highlights back and seeing me playing and stuff. Even now you look back and think ‘I did that’. Loads of people dream of playing for their country and it was just so good. Name: Corey Wilson
Sport: Football
Occupation: Football player/coach Date of birth: November 7 1993