Sky Sports Tommy Watson’s defiant response to Jack Clarke comparisons and exciting Sunderland academy admission.
Tommy Watson discusses comparisons with Jack Clarke and fascinating familial links at Sunderland’s academy. Have we all pictured the scene? dared to dream. Especially among younger enthusiasts. Most Mackems dream of scoring for Sunderland, whether at Roker Park or the Stadium of Light. That ideal rarely comes true… but it did for Tommy Watson, an 18-year-old Sunderland supporter from Easington, who scored twice at the Stadium of Light to defeat Stoke City in the Championship.
It’s a fairytale, and I have no doubt that Watson’s narrative is one of the most fulfilling I’ve seen in my short time covering Sunderland – but how did it feel to see one of our own score for his club? “I’m a boyhood Sunderland fan,” Watson confessed following the game. “The second goal was the most special and the one I had envisioned. “The first one, I think the entire stadium was stunned after conceding,” he quipped to the journalists after the match, a wide smile on his face.”My entire family was here. “It was my little brother’s birthday, so some were in the players’ lounge, while others were scattered throughout the stadium,” Watson explained. “About a year ago today, I was playing under-18s in the FA Youth Cup. I’ve struggled with patience at times, but everything is now coming together. “I was six years old when I joined the academy,” a grinning Watson explained. “That late winner is what you envision when you think about winning. I wish it was at the other end, but a knee slide in rainy circumstances is simply ideal. I should have had the match ball, but I believe I handled the missed opportunity well and put it behind me.”
Watson is the most recent addition to the Academy of Light’s seemingly endless supply of talent, which includes Jordan Pickford, Jordan Henderson, Anthony Patterson, Sam Greenwood, Dan Neil, Chris Rigg, and Josh Coburn, to mention a few. However, while the 18-year-old is the most recent result of Sunderland’s productive system, he is unlikely to be the last. Indeed, following his brace against Stoke City last Saturday, Watson stated that two of his brothers hope to follow in his footsteps.
“I have three brothers,” Watson says. “One elder and two younger, both attending the academy. One is eight and doing well in the academy, and Luke turns twelve today. I haven’t seen him yet, but I have a shirt for him. When asked about his father’s football abilities, Watson joked: “My dad was more of a Sunday League player, to be honest. He was a hard-tackling centre-half, so I’m not sure where my genes came from. Luke is big, athletic, and very fast, while my younger brother is left-footed and extremely cunning.”
Watson earned his fourth consecutive start for Régis Le Bris this season against Stoke City, and his fifth of the 2024-45 season. Prior to his fitness issues, Mundle had done an excellent job of filling the vacuum created by Jack Clarke’s departure, scoring six goals. The Echo has developed a new WhatsApp SAFC channel that will deliver the most recent news, commentary, team and injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join the SAFC WhatsApp group.Clarke left Sunderland for Premier League Ipswich Town last summer in a deal thought to be worth around £15million. However, before the former Leeds United and Tottenham ace’s exit, comparisons with Watson had already begun to arise. The two look and move in a very similar fashion, often gliding past players from the left wing. Watson, however, is keen to become his own man and his own player.
“I liked the stuff he was doing and the way he attacked his man and contributed to the team with goals and assists but I think we’re different players,” Watson said after the game against Stoke City when asked about the comparisons to his predecessor.
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