The rise of the young talent from Grimsby Town has been nothing short of remarkable, capturing the attention and admiration of fans and pundits alike. Seb's moment in the spotlight came during the 2024/25 season, when he seized the opportunity to showcase his skills in a crucial Sky Bet League Two match against Carlisle. His debut as a substitute, stepping in for the injured Mariners goalkeeper Jake Eastwood, was a defining moment that marked the beginning of what promises to be a bright career.
Despite his tender age of 17, Seb's prowess between the goalposts was not a surprise to those who had been following his journey closely. His consistent performances for the under 18's at Grimsby had already established him as a reliable and talented goalkeeper, earning him the chance to make his mark on the professional stage. His dedication, hard work, and natural talent have all played pivotal roles in his rapid rise to the first team.
Seb opened up about his footballing journey, reflecting on the challenges he has overcome and the sacrifices he has made to reach this point in his career. His passion for the game, coupled with his unwavering determination, has been the driving force behind his success.
Goalkeeping, how did it start for you?
The question varies for each story, and Seb's is no exception. Once more, we witness a story of grassroots football inspiring young players to explore goalkeeping, leading to another successful narrative. Here is Seb's account of the beginning of his goalkeeping journey:
"I started my journey playing for my local team at U7 where I was an outfielder for half a season. But half way through the season, our goalkeeper left so we took it in turns for the rest of the season. When it was my turn, I had a good game so they asked if I would want to do it again. I kept playing well and enjoying it, so I decided to switch to become a goalkeeper."
Similar to numerous young goalkeepers, Seb switched from playing in the field to becoming a goalkeeper. However, he found a deep passion for this position, which he has carried into a promising early journey that, with his determination, has the potential to evolve into a illustrious professional career.
A Journey with setbacks, tell us more about the journey...
Every journey has its bumps in the road and with Seb that started in junior football. From the ups and downs of grassroots football to facing rejections in trials, he eventually found his place in academy football. Despite the setbacks, Seb stayed determined and achieved success with a scholarship, marking an important milestone in his career. Here is his account of his junior football experience:
"I started by playing for my local team Beverley Town from U7 to U13. I received trials at Hull and Scunthorpe during this time, but I was unsuccessful. At U12 I went on trial at Grimsby at the end of the season, but was unsuccessful again. However, in the following November I went back on trial at Grimsby and received a contract for the U13s. I then kept on receiving new contracts and in October 2022 I was offered a scholarship, which I am currently in my second year of."
Similar to numerous Hawk Goalkeeping goalkeepers, grassroots and non-league football has significantly influenced their stories. Clubs such as Beverley Town, where Seb played as a youngster, provide excellent opportunities for young players to nurture their skills and passion for football, ultimately leading to the success stories we witness today.
The fruitful beginnings of senior football, tell us, how has it been?
Numerous Hawk Goalkeeping ambassadors have a background in professional football, and Seb is among those venturing into the exclusive realm of professional football. Only a select few can claim to have been associated with playing for a professional club. Therefore, we spoke with Seb to understand his experience and emotions when he finally took to the pitch for a professional match:
"My favourite memory as a goalkeeper was making my professional debut as it was so unexpected and it has been something I have dreamt of since the day I started playing football."
Seb also went on to describe his emotions when he was called upon from the bench by Grimsby manager David Artell:
"It was a feeling that I can’t compare to anything. It felt like I was on cloud 9. I was obviously nervous, but as soon as I had a few touches of the ball they all went away, and from then on it was just pure enjoyment."
It can be confidently stated that Seb's accomplishments are truly remarkable, and we, as a brand, take immense pride in seeing his progress and achievements since he joined us, despite the relatively short period of time.
From saving goals to setting goals, what are the goals that you have for the future?
For any young goalkeeper, it is crucial to consider their goals.
We talked to Seb about his upcoming goals as he aims to advance in his career, and he had a clear vision of what he wanted to achieve:
"My main goal for the season is to receive a professional contract at the club."
While his main objective is to achieve a professional contract, Seb has also established smaller goals for himself in the interim. These include focusing on his progress with the u18 team and gaining valuable experience in the FA Youth Cup, a significant competition for any young footballer in the academy system. Here's what he had to say following on from his main goal:
"However, leading up to that I would like to play in as many games as possible, and keep performing to a high level. I would also love to go far in the FA Youth Cup, like last year, and make more appearances for the first team."
Seb demonstrates a mature mindset beyond his years by establishing realistic goals for himself, which, when coupled with his skills, pave the way for his future success.
Discovering Hawk Goalkeeping, what stands out for you?
Seb may be one of the newer goalkeepers at Hawk Goalkeeping, but he still had positive things to say about our brand and the products we offer:
"For me goalkeeper gloves need to have good grip, durability and feel comfy and Hawk ticks all those boxes. They stay grippy in all conditions and even when I wear them everyday in training and games, they last so long that I hardly go through many pairs of gloves. Hawk gloves provide all these qualities at a very affordable price."
We take pride in offering the same elite-quality gloves to all goalkeepers, whether they are playing for professional clubs or not. Our gloves feature advanced technology at a fraction of the price compared to top brands. Explore our catalog now!
Comments