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Ollie Watkins’ former coach reveals moment 18 years ago he ‘knew he was special’
Mark Taylor, 64, coached Watkins between the ages of eight and 11 - and pinpointed the moment he knew the Aston Villa striker stood out.
Ollie Watkins' childhood coach has said he always knew the player was “special” after the striker scored a 90th-minute winner to send England into the Euro 2024 final.
The 28-year-old scored an inch-perfect strike against the Netherlands to help the Three Lions win the semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday night.
England will now face Spain in the final on Sunday and hope to secure their first major international title since winning the World Cup in 1966. Watkins will hope to play a big role in that match after his late cameo against the Dutch, and his former childhood coaches think he is the man to help England grab the trophy.
Mark Taylor, 64, coached Watkins for four years while the young player was at Buckland Athletic Football Club, in Newton Abbot, between the ages of eight and 11. His stand-out memory from this period involved a “four versus four” training drill.
Taylor, who lives in Farnham, Surrey, said: “I remember doing this drill to switch up play a bit. The ball came to Ollie and he was going forward when he was blocked by a defender.
“He quite suddenly literally just flicked the ball up over his head, over the top of the defender and just drove forward and flicked it into the little goal. That’s when I knew he was something special, something more. He tried to solve the problem, he thought outside the box - and he was only 10 years old.”
Retired Taylor said his phone “took off with messages and commentary” when Watkins scored in the 90th-minute winner, adding: “He’s always worked hard, he’s so determined, he’s a humble guy and I am just so proud of him.”
Charlie Fath, 60, also coached Watkins at Buckland Athletic FC. He said the striker always had raw talent - but admitted "there were times when he thought he might not make it".
Fath said: “All the credit is to Ollie - he is a great lad and he is determined. Over those years he was consistently in the top three performers. He was very good in a very good team, but you don’t always know.”
Charlie said Watkins played in midfield for most of his time at Buckland, before transitioning first to a wide player and then a centre forward when he moved clubs.
Watch: England hero Ollie Watkins' ex-PE teacher reveals why he was destined for greatness
Watkins spent a few years in Exeter City's youth set-up before going on loan to Weston-Super-Mare in 2014/15 and then returning to the club's first team. He broke into the Championship in 2017 at Brentford before moving to Premier League side Aston Villa in 2020, where he has played ever since.
Watkins' success has also inspired pupils at his former school in Newton Abbot.
Headteacher Sally Herbert said: “We are all immensely proud of Ollie; for the children to see that one of Decoy School’s former pupils is part of the England team and he scored the decisive goal has really inspired them.”
Tina Hudson, a teaching assistant who fondly remembers Ollie, added:"He had that little extra spark and determination to succeed."
Pupil Dylan, 11, said: "I feel proud to attend the same school as Ollie Watkins."
Elliott, 10, added: "Ollie has inspired a lot of children at Decoy. It makes us think that we can achieve our dreams too."
What are the odds of England beating Spain?
Spain is considered the favourite to win at 8/5 odds on AK Bets, which implies a 38% chance of winning, according to Oddschecker. The shortest odds for a Spain win within 90 minutes are 11/8.
England is available at a best price of 13/5 on BetMGM, indicating a 28% chance of winning. The bookmaker with the shortest odds for an England victory is Sky Bet at 11/5.
England coach Gareth Southgate has admitted Spain are favourites to win the final and thinks his side will have to be at their absolute best if they are to join the 1966 World Cup team in immortality.
“They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament,” the Three Lions boss said. “They have been the best team.”
However, the mystic meerkats seem to be more confident after predicting an England victory.
Their successful prediction of the Euro 2021 tournament winner has sparked a great deal of hope in their wisdom.
