Next Generation: Callum ConnollyThis week Everton have been profiling the five Academy graduates who made their Premier League debuts in 2015/16.With a whole host of talent in the youth system at Finch Farm, we have spoken to the people who have worked closest with the quintet to find out more about their development as individuals - both on and off the pitch.
After putting the paths of Jonjoe Kenny, Tom Davies, Kieran Dowell and Matthew Pennington under the microscope, today we focus on Callum Connolly…
CALLUM CONNOLLYPosition: Defender/Midfielder
Place of Birth: Litherland, 3.3 miles from Goodison Park.
Date of Birth: 23 September 1997.
On that day in history…Another Academy graduate, Danny Cadamarteri, netted his first Everton goal at home to Barnsley three days before Connolly was born – and scored again at Goodison against Arsenal the following Saturday.
Top of the box office was superhero film ‘Spawn’, which replaced ‘Air Force One’ in the UK chart.
‘Candle In The Wind ’97’ by Elton John began its five-week stay at the top of UK no.1 singles chart.
UPPER GWLADYS INSPIRATIONMany young Evertonians who go to Goodison Park will harbour aspirations of one day filling the boots of their idols.
Callum Connolly was no different.
“I was born in Litherland, Bootle and grew up around there. My family are all Evertonians – there’s a few Liverpudlians but mostly Blues. I was always going to be raised as a Blue.
“I used to go to Goodison with my uncle when I was five or six and sit in the Upper Gwladys. Since then I just loved playing football.”
He was playing in centre midfield for a juniors team called Crosby Stuart when Everton scouts spotted his ability at the age of nine. An invitation to take part in a trial game came immediately and the youngster passed the audition with flying colours.
BALANCING THE BOOKSAs documented in this Next Generation series, Everton Academy players have to combine their school studies with training sessions.
Of course, the balance is easier at primary school level – and English Martyrs’ headteacher Lewis Dinsdale can still recall a pupil focused on the game he adored.
“He was a hard-working and dedicated student who absolutely loved football. Maths and English might not have been his priority – football was his first passion – but he was a good student who never gave up. He was always determined and from speaking to colleagues who remember him fondly, they say he could be quite quiet in the classroom but he came alive on the pitch. You could see he was very skilful and he’s obviously continued the application we saw in order to play at a very high level.
“We’re really proud that he’s gone on to play professionally. I was talking to the children in assembly recently and we used Callum as an example to show what they could achieve.”
As Academy prospects get older, the volume of football required each week can make for a busy schedule and a tricky mix of trying to keep up in class.
At the age of 16, Connolly was supposed to go to the Under-17 European Championship Finals in Malta with England in May 2014.
However, the tournament clashed with the majority of his GCSE examinations. Unable to have them all rearranged, a difficult decision befell the youngster with guidance from those around him.
Ultimately he chose to stay at home and complete the tests – achieving positive results – but in turn missed out on glory with fellow Blues Ryan Ledson and Jonjoe Kenny.
Now, with all exams out of the way, Connolly can focus solely on being a professional footballer.
“They were long days,” he recalls. ”I remember I used to get picked up at 7.25am, collect a few others on the way and not get home until 8.30-9pm. It was tough, mentally and psychically; five days a week like that plus a game on Saturday – it is a lot of hours but it’s helped me be better.
“There’s a lot of help along the way from the Academy staff and teachers. You’re obviously focused on your football but you have to study hard and get results in the end.”
‘WHEREVER HE PLAYED, HE WAS A GOALSCORING THREAT’Although his first-team debut came at left-back, attendees of Everton Under-21 fixtures in the last two seasons will be familiar with Connolly’s versatility.
Equally at home at right-back, central defence or in midfield, his capability of using both feet and reading a game well from a variety of positions is a big string to the 18-year-old’s bow.
“I remember one game when I was in the Under-16s and I got called up to be on the bench for the Under-18s against Bolton Wanderers. Kevin Sheedy brought me on at left-back and I did well – I even scored the winner. I carried on playing in that position for a few games and I’ve been in a few different roles since.”
Sheedy himself has fond memories of working with the talented teen, particularly when the two tasted league title glory two seasons ago.
“He was a coach’s dream because he could play everywhere – and he just got on with it. His tactical awareness improved and I’m not surprised he’s made his first-team debut.
“He was totally dedicated and focused. He just wanted to the best he could be so he trained extremely hard. We played him in a number of positions, which ultimately helped his development. Wherever he played he was a goalscoring threat, whether it be from long range or set-pieces.”
That league title success still stands out for Connolly, who looks back on his nine years in the Academy with a smile.
“Winning the league capped off a great season for me. I was 15 turning 16 and playing above my age group – it was a tough step up playing every week, but after a few games I gained confidence and thoroughly enjoyed it.
“There have been loads of highlights in the Academy – tournaments in Germany and Holland stand out for me. It’s a big experience going away at say nine or 10, leaving your family - it’s all new, but you’re well looked after.”
‘FIRST NAME ON THE TEAMSHEET’In 2015/16, Connolly’s development shone through. He became a key figure for the Under-21s, with his prowess from any of his possible positions earning strong praise from David Unsworth in December.
After seeing the studious and mild-tempered player net five times in four games, the Young Blues boss said: “He’s such a great player that his versatility means he’s the first man on the teamsheet.
“He’s so brave and wants to get on the end of things. He’s an eight or nine out of 10 every week and gets among the goals. It doesn’t matter if he’s right-back, left-back or centre midfield, he’s starting to influence games from whatever position and that’s the sign of a really good player.”
That form continued. He hit seven goals in total before earning a first loan move to Barnsley in March.
There he would play seven times before a call-up to England Under-19s inadvertently denied him a role at Wembley in the Johnstones Paint Trophy final.
But the best was yet to come. Less than two weeks after missing out on a showpiece occasion in the capital, Connolly was thrust onto the Goodison pitch he once looked down on from the Upper Gwladys.
Emerging from the bench after 54 minutes of April’s 1-1 draw against Southampton was the moment he had been working for ever since those days with Crosby Stuart.
“Years and years of training gets you ready. I was training with the first team for the last few months of the season and I gained confidence by doing well, so I thought I might have a chance of playing at some point.
“I watched the game back afterwards and could hear the crowd cheering when I did something like a good pass or header. It gave me a boost and hopefully I can kick on next season.”
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