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I’m a Motherwell star who played in front of Wealdstone Raider – inside my unusual journey to the SPFL
Aston Oxborough takes fans inside his unusual journey to Motherwell prominence
He worked with Scotland star Angus Gunn and played in front of the Wealdstone Raider. Now Aston Oxborough hopes his journey to Motherwell can help him become one of the top keepers in the country.
At 26 he’s finally first pick at Fir Park after being understudy to former captain Liam Kelly. Oxborough is relishing the opportunity after having to graft his way to the SPFL. Growing up at boyhood club Norwich City he had Angus’ dad Bryan Gunn as his agent. But as he struggled to make the breakthrough at Carrow Road he went on loan to the National League with spells at Barnet and Wealdstone – where he won a title.
At Grosvenor Vale he met Gordon Hill, aka the Wealdstone Raider. He was the builder whose online videos made him an internet sensation. Oxborough has lapped up every experience so far but now feels ready to establish himself as Well’s No.1. The Englishman, who will be between the sticks for Stuart Kettlewell’s side against Kilmarnock on Sunday, said: “Hopefully I’ve still got a long career in front of me.
“Everyone’s journey is different. If you look at goalies like Nick Pope at Newcastle or Emi Martinez at Aston Villa, they had to wait a long time to play. They both had several loans down the leagues then got their breakthrough moments at random times. But it’s not pure luck – it’s more about them doing the right things.
“I came up here two years ago and was behind Liam. I learned a lot from him and also about the league because I was new to it. I’ve waited for my chance and thankfully it has come around.
“Was a it a tough decision to come up here? Not really. I’d been at Norwich for 14 years and wasn’t getting to where I wanted to go. I needed a new challenge. But going to places like Wealdstone was beneficial.
