The one game Towler can’t wait for...
Ryley Towler has a return to his boyhood club circled as his Championship red letter day.
The Pompey favourite admitted going back to Bristol City is the occasion he’s looking forward to next term, after securing League One title glory.
Towler was front and centre in the final-day celebrations at Lincoln
City, as he came back into John Mousinho’s starting XI for the 2-0 win at Sincil Bank.
The 21-year-old may have had a limited amount of football this season – making just three third tier starts plus another three off the bench - but has spoken about his happiness at Fratton Park as he makes his way in the game.
It’s a sentiment which is reciprocated by the Pompey football operation, with the classy defender viewed as a player with a bright future at PO4.
Towler is part of Mousinho’s future plans, as he aims to vie for a starting place in his back four next term.
That is something the January 2023 arrival is looking forward to, but it’s not the sides dropping out of the Premier League on his radar when fixtures are released in June.
It’s a return to his old Ashton Gate stomping ground the likeable talent is really anticipating.
He said: ‘I can’t wait for next season, I really can’t wait.
‘And going back to Bristol City will be amazing. I love it there.
It’s my hometown club.
I’ve grown up supporting them, and it will great to go back and see some familiar faces.
‘That’s the first one straight away I’ll look at when the fixtures come out. I’ll be having a little lookout for that straightaway, I can’t wait to go back there.’
Towler will battle it out with the likes of Regan Poole, Tom Mcintyre and Conor Shaughnessy for a place in Mousinho’s back line next term, following the release of fans’ favourite Sean Raggett after his contract expired.
The former AFC Wimbledon knows he has a battle on his hands, but can take solace from the fact he’s viewed as a player with big Pompey potential by his head coach and staff.
He said: ‘I know there's going to be competition and as a footballer you need that.
‘You have to fight for slots at the end of the day, it’s only going to make us better players.'