Aston Villa and England forward Ollie Watkins made a surprise appearance at a non-league match on Saturday, attending a National League South game between his former club Truro City and Torquay United. Fans commended Watkins for staying connected to his beginnings in football as he watched the sixth-tier fixture.
Born in Torquay, the Premier League star joined 384 other supporters in Gloucester, where the match took place. Both Truro and Torquay have encountered difficulties this season, with Torquay facing administration and a points deduction, and Truro struggling with scheduling due to lacking a home ground and facing unfavorable weather at alternative venues.
Despite these challenges, Truro’s captain Connor Riley-Lowe shared photos with Watkins, highlighting their friendship from their time at Exeter City. Watkins, who had a brief stint at Weston-super-Mare during his Exeter days, later found success with Brentford before moving to Aston Villa.
During the match, Watkins observed from the sidelines, almost incognito in his winter coat amidst harsh weather conditions, while Torquay secured a 2-1 victory over Truro.
Fans praised Watkins for his humility and loyalty to his roots, emphasizing his choice to attend the match despite his thriving career in the Premier League. The game held significance for both teams as they battled to avoid relegation, especially for Truro, who had been forced to play their “home” matches at Gloucester City’s stadium due to ongoing stadium issues.
Despite the challenges faced by Truro, Watkins’ involvement served as a reminder of his journey from non-league football to the top-flight Premier League, where he now strives for European qualification with Aston Villa and aims to secure a spot in the England squad for Euro 2024.