Just days after his 18th birthday, young Aaron Ewins stepped up to score his first goal in senior football in last month’s Premier Division triumph over Edinburgh University. Our recent match programme for the visit of Dundonald Bluebell featured an interview with Aaron – a game in which he found the back of the net once again. If you missed the interview, we’re republishing it here. The match programme will be back for our next home match – a local derby against league leaders Musselburgh Athletic on 4 January.
Hailing from West Lothian, Aaron had become a consistent performer for our U20s side over the last couple of seasons and, since making his first team debut, has caught the eye in recent weeks with a number of strong performances, belying his young age. Aaron is well-known to our manager, Scott Bonar, and U20s coach, Graham Marron, having worked with both previously in youth football. We spoke to Aaron earlier this week for our latest programme interview.
Q. You must have been delighted to score the winner – and your first senior goal – in the Edinburgh University match?
“It was such a good feeling when the ball hit the net and everyone cheered. I then saw everyone running towards me. It was a good feeling. It was the best feeling I’ve ever had scoring a goal. As soon as I took a touch, I knew I had hit the ball well. It was a good finish and also good work from Gary (Windram), winning the ball back and managing to slip me in.
Q. You’ve certainly made your mark for the first team in recent weeks. Did you expect to make such an impact?
“The Kilsyth Athletic cup tie was my first game. I was hoping for a chance to come on or start the match. Although we lost the game which was disappointing, I think I put in a good performance. I was then hoping it would kick on my season and get more first team appearances. I didn’t start for a while after that but it was good to still be involved in the squad. Scott then started me in the game at Whitburn. I thought that I played quite well, especially after featuring for the U20s the night before. Injuries and suspensions have given me the opportunity to stay in the team. I feel like I have done enough to keep myself in and around the first team. But I know that I need to keep improving and working hard.
Q. Is full-back your strongest position?
“Full-back or winger is my most natural position. I had been moved into centre midfield when I scored the goal on Saturday, but that’s definitely the hardest position to play! When I was younger, I was a winger and then when I moved to play at Portobello, Scott thought I would be a good full-back. This season I’ve had the chance to play as a winger again also.”
Q. Have the senior players been helping you in training and on matchdays?
“Everyone has been really helpful since I started to be involved with the first team. I’ve been training with the first team for a couple of years. The older, more experienced players have helped me on and off the pitch. They are always taking time to encourage me. If you experience a lapse of concentration then you will be told how it is. But that helps as well. Every single one of them has helped me so much. They are good at giving compliments or making nice comments, especially after good performances.”
Q. You must enjoy playing under Scott and Graham?
“Scott and Graham both helped me so much at Portobello. Scott then became manager at Haddington. I did one more season at Portobello and started to become more involved in Haddington 20s. At that time, I didn’t know if I was going to go to Haddington due to the travel distance, but after having a chat with Scott I knew I had to be at Haddington.
“I feel like it’s such a good club to be at from top to bottom – the players, committee members and coaches. It’s a good environment to be in. Every training session Scott wants us to learn new ways of playing. Everybody can have a laugh but they work hard and all want to improve. It is a club that is good at helping younger players get through and make sure you feel part of the team, even if it’s just at training. Scott is good at bringing players through.
“Graham is very good at motivating us and making sure everyone is involved and feels part of the team. This season is a different team with 2007 players coming up and some players leaving. He has always been good with me in terms of confidence and believing in myself. He is good at explaining things and talking to my family.”
Q. You must have started playing football in West Lothian?
“I played seven a side at Broxburn and then moved to Hutchy (Hutchison) Vale. I spent five years there and then went to play my football at Portobello.”
Q. Did you have any footballing role models growing up?
“Steven Gerrard. I’m a Liverpool fan. I have a DVD of the Istanbul Champions’ League Final which I enjoy watching. I have always enjoyed watching older players from the recent past, for example videos on YouTube. Yaya Toure and Frank Lampard would be other players from the past I admire. They scored amazing goals. A more recent player would be Trent Alexander-Arnold. What he can do with a ball at his feet is unbelievable.”
Q. Do you have any other hobbies?
“It’s really mainly football – that’s my life. I’m always watching or playing. I go to work, come home and play or watch football.”
Q. What do you do for a living?
“I work in the airport Wotherspoons. It’s a really good job and flexible, which is good for me as a footballer.”
Q. What are your hopes for the rest of the season – personally and for the club?
“Personally, I feel Scott doesn’t want us playing Friday (for the U20s) and then on the Saturday (for the first team), but if either team is short on players, it might need to happen. I want to progress more into the first team – that’s what I’m aiming for.
“As a club, we need to keep winning games and get as high up the table as we can. We are fourth (in the Premier Division table) at the moment which is a good position, with not many games to play before the end of the year. We are capable of going on a good run but, if there are injuries or suspensions, you never know what can happen. So, we just want to finish as high as we can and do well in cup games (in the League Cup). These are good opportunities to play different opposition.”
Q. Is physicality the biggest difference moving from U20s to first team football?
“Physicality is a step up, but mentally it’s more challenging. The players are more intelligent. Older players know how to use their bodies. The quality is higher. No matter how far down the leagues you go, there will always be top quality players.
“After a game you are physically tired but mentally drained. One lapse in concentration and you can concede a goal. In the 20s you might not be punished so often. In the first team, you must always be focused and it takes a lot out of you.”
Q. What has been your best achievement in football so far?
“At Portobello we won a cup in my first or second season. I’ve lost quite a lot of finals including against Portobello. Winning one was definitely the best feeling. I have won a league as well but there’s something special about a cup – the occasion and the day itself is something memorable.”
