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GO USA SCHOLARSHIP
 | THE ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY to undertake a Soccer Scholarship in the United States of America is a very attractive option for many players coming out of their time in youth football
A number of ex-Chester-le-Street Town youth players have been involved in this experience or are currently involved in study and/or athletics programs in the USA
Chester-le-Street are willing to offer advice and help any qualifying player, without a fee, who is interested in joining a USA based program which like back home, can offer a route into the professional game
A number of ex-youth players are currently on USA Scholarships abroad:
David Winskill (Shenandoah, VIRGINIA)(CLS 05/06)
Chris Hunter (Yavapai, ARIZONA)(CLS 05/06)
James Pounder (Columbia, NEW YORK)(CLS 04/05)
Liam Robertson (Truett, GEORGIA)(CLS 04/05)
Karl Haggon (Clayton, GEORGIA)(CLS 02/03)
Jonathan Taylor (Northwood, WEST PALM BEACH)(CLS 02/03)
Other ex-Chester-le-Street players who have remained Stateside after scholarships are Mark Dunkerly, Nicky Hindhaugh, Mark Adamson (all Lynn University), Ross Lumsden (Lynn University) and Jamie Morgan (Northwood)
Chester-le-Street have unofficial links with universities in the United States as Youth Team Manager Andrew Muxworthy explains, "We have built up a network of excellent contacts and we do recommend players to these universities but we have no formal relationships because it is not allowed". |
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HAGGON HEADS FOR ATL !!!!!
 Former Chester-le-Street Youth Team Captain Karl Haggon (pictured left) spent his first year in the USA (2004/05) at Tyler Junior College Texas. In 2006, as Team Captain at TJC, Haggon became the First-Team Junior College All-American. In 2006 Haggon transferred to Marshall University West Virginia, jumping to NCAA Division One level. He has since moved to Clayton State, Atlanta - just 50 minutes south of Liam Robertson who is in North Georgia at Truett. Haggon, at 6ft 2" central defender, who rates Stuart Pearce as his greatast sporting hero will be looking for a big season yet again in the year ahead 2007/08 |
.... MIAMI VICE
 Jonathan Taylor (pictured right) played for Chester-le-Street Youths in the same side as Karl Haggon (above). As a Junior with Northwood University (West Palm Beach Florida) in 2006 Taylor started 22 of 23 games. Taylor was previously with Lynn University Boca Raton where he played 12 matches during 2004/05. He has participated in two World Taekwondo Championships. |
NEW YORKS FINEST.....
 Defender James Pounder (pictured left) played for Chester-le-Street youths in 2005/06 alongside Liam Robertson (below).
Pounder has been at Columbia University since 2005 and has three times won Ivy League Player of the Week Awards. He started 17 games for Columbia last season and was named to the Puma Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team. A big year lies ahead for Pounder (6ft 3) who is a vital part of the Columbia defence. |
.... SHENANDOAH GOLD
 David Winskill from the Cestrians 2005/06 squad headed Stateside to Shenandoah University Virginia to begin a four year scholarship in 2006/07. In his opening season he played 14 games in midfield. |
GEORGIA ON LIAMO'S MIND........
 Liam Robertson who played for Chester-le-Street in Season 2004/05 begins 2007/08 at Truett near Cleveland, Georgia. The talented attacking midfield play maker will be a key player without doubt as new Head Coach David McDowell shapes his squad in the coming season. Robertson was the first oversea's Mens Soccer player recruited by Truett who have since added additional players in time for the new season.
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.... HUNTER IN ARIZONA
 | Chris Hunter was Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year for Chester-le-Street Youths in 2005/06. He went on to be Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year for Chester-le-Street First Team in 2006/07. Hunter - like Liam Robertson above, from South Shields, is to begin a Scholarship in 2007/08 with The USA's Nations Number One NJCC side Yavapai College, Arizona!
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DAVID WINSKILL (SHENANDOAH)
 DEFENDER DAVID WINSKILL played in a Chester-le-Street Youth side that won the Durham County Lomax League title, The Durham County Youth Cup, The Sunderland Eye Infirmary Cup and The League Cup in Season 2005/06.
The former Darlington youth defender had suffered a serious ankle injury just days after being told he would receive a YTS at the club and after a layoff of some 14 months, Andrew Muxworthy persuaded him to return to the serious business of football and join the club.
After a successful season with Chester-le-Street, the South Durham born player moved to Shenandoah University, Virginia, USA to play in the NCAA Third Division.
He has now been in the States since August 2006. The website caught up with David Winskill for an interview this week:
Q) You left Chester-le-Street as a right-back and The Hornets (Shenandoah University team) converted you to a midfielder. Tell us about your football experiences in your first few months Stateside and the change in your outfield role?
Dave: “My first few months here in the states was tough adapting to the lifestyle and having to go through a tough pre-season after the coach who recruited me resigned and we appointed a new one who I had never met. It was a great time though and I enjoyed the challenges that were put in front of me. The gaffa saw me as a more forward thinking player and thought I could bring more to the team from a role in midfield than in one from the back”.
Q) You played 14 games as a freshman in your first season starting 12 of them?
Dave: “My first season was great and although I felt like I wasn’t playing at the standard I knew I was capable of it was still a good time even though it was frustrating. I was meeting new people and learning a totally new style of football so it was a great experience and learning curve for me”.
What is the University life like and what would you say to players in the UK considering going to America?
Dave: “The life style out here is second to none and I would recommend it to any one who was considering it. I would however tell people that they need to be mature and strong enough to get through the hard times like when things go wrong at home or when you get home sick but if your strong enough to work through those times then I guarantee you will never look back and you will have the time of your life”.
You earned All-Tournament honors at The John Carroll Tournament. Could you tell us a little about that?
Dave: ”Yeah the John Carroll tournament was up in Ohio and was a pre-season tournament we played in with a couple of very good teams that were ranked nationally. It was the beginning of a new season and I went into it wanting to prove a point to get over a disappointing first year and also wanting to set the tone for the rest of the season ahead. As it turned out I played really well in that tournament and the right back playing behind me who is a lad from Australia and myself both got all-tournament honours. It was a great start to what turned out to be a really frustrating second year”.
How did you second season go Stateside?
Dave: ”As I just mentioned my second year over here started out really well with the all-tournament honours then with a couple of goals and assists but unfortunately I suffered from a rotated vertebrae in my neck 5 games in which kept me out for most of the season. Then once the doc cleared me from that in my first game back I scored a free kick to make us qualify for the conference tournament and then in a friendly before conference I fractured a metatarsal and that put me out for the rest of the year. Overall there were some positives to take from the season but it was very frustrating for me”.
What are the parties like and have you made good friends?
Dave: ”The parties are quality and I have made some great friends over here from all over the world not just America. I will definitely stay in touch with them”.
Do you keep in touch with any of the other ex-Chester-le-Street youth players that are in America – particularly the likes of Nicky Hindhaugh from Killingworth and Chris Hunter from South Shields, with whom you played in the same Chester-le-Street team?
Dave: ”At first we spoke but over time we havn’t really spoke at all. I do however talk to Jonathan Taylor who is down in Florida and was at Chester a couple of years before I was”.
What is the academic side of life like in Shenandoah?
Dave: ”The academics at Shenandoah are really good and although there is a lot of fun to have over here I find if you manage your time well and dont let your academics get affected by parting then they kind of just take care of themselves as long as you study”.
If you could change one thing about your time in the USA what would it be?
Dave: ”I probably would have held out for another year before making my decision to come here and made sure that I picked the right school for me as I am transferring to Lander University in South Carolina in August this year”.
What teams do you follow Stateside?
Dave: ”I tend to follow DC United because I only live 45 minutes from downtown DC so I have been to a few of there games. I’m a Washington Capitals fan aswell, they are a hockey team and you have got to like the Dallas Cowboys football team just for their cheer leaders!”
How does life in the USA differ to back home?
Dave: “Life is very different here, I have become much more independent since moving here and I find I am learning new things everyday. As a student you get a lot of spare time on your hands and to be honest with this life style I cant complain about a thing!”
Do you miss playing at Chester-le-Street?
Dave: “Yeah I do Chester was fun and after winning all those trophies how can you not miss it? I don’t miss getting up on a Saturday to play in the freezing cold rain though!!
And your memories…..?
Dave: “Memories of Chester have got to be our pre-season trip away up in Morcambe and Gretna, we have some stories to tell from that night out and definitely the game on the FA Youth cup against Faresley Celtic will always be a sour memory in the back of my head unfortunately. Lifting all them trophies are all good memories though”.
When are you back home?
Dave: “Once uni finishes I’m off on holiday in Arizona for a bit so I wont get back until the 23rd of May”.
What are your plans for next season?
Dave: “Next season is going to be a new chapter for me. I just accepted a new scholarship at Lander University who are DII and are ranked 11th Nationally so I am looking forward to going there and taking on the new challenges they have for me whilst hopefully staying injury free”!
Finally.. this seasons Chester-le-Street Youth Team has secured the Durham County Cup. What advice have you got for the team for the remainder of the season?
Dave: “I would just tell the lads to keep doing what there doing and not to get complacent. Treat every game like a cup final and work hard and by the end of the season they will be lifting as many trophies as I was lucky enough too. To finish I would just like to thank Muxy for finding me and getting into my head after I broke my leg. I was going through a time when I was done with football and I have him to thank for changing my mind set and for giving me this opportunity that I am relishing right now. Cheers Mux and GOOD LUCK for the rest of the season lads”.
DAVID WINSKILL INTERVIEW 24TH APRIL 2008
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