Niall Watson on family legacy and life at Warrington Town

Like father, like son?

Warrington Town fans will certainly be hoping that is the case for recent signing Niall Watson as he follows in some pretty sizeable family footsteps.

But while he will do well to match the goalscoring exploits of his father Liam in a yellow shirt, he says his history with the club makes his desire to succeed that little bit greater.

Back in the early 1990s, Liam Watson was a prolific frontman at Cantilever Park, scoring 46 goals in as many games to earn a move to Preston North End, with the transfer fee of around £60,000 remaining a Town club record to this day.

Ever since, he has remained a great friend to the club through his time as a highly experienced non-league manager, most notably across three spells at Southport.

Now, the Watson goalscoring mantle has passed to Niall following his arrival at the Cal.Delivery Stadium on a season-long loan from Hednesford Town and he has made a handy start, netting twice in his three appearances to date while also chipping in with two assists.

But rather than feel pressured by history, the 25-year-old is simply keen to make the most of the chance he has.

“He only mentions it five times a day,” Watson jokes when asked about his father’s record.

“He’s well known here and he’s well known at Southport, so when I went there as a 20-year-old kid, he gave me the confidence that I needed.

“I never struggled or thought it was awkward – the best times of my career were there and I loved every minute of it.

“In coming here, people might say there’s a bit of pressure because of who my dad is and what he’s done here, but I’ve been so well accepted.

“I’ve been coming to games here for a while now so I’ve known Toby [Macormac, chairman] and the gaffer [Paul Carden] for a long time.

“They’re all great people and I’m very thankful to them for bringing me here. Ultimately, all I want to do is keep enjoying my football.

“Obviously when I was playing myself, I didn’t get chance to come down but I’ve been coming to games when I can for a while.

“I went and played in America and when I came home over the Christmas period, I came to a few games here and I love coming here.

“It wasn’t necessarily in my mind to come and play here, but when I wasn’t getting the minutes and Hednesford and Warrington gave me the chance to come here, I was all for it.

“Thankfully, it happened and I’m very happy playing here now.”

Read the full interview with Niall Watson in Saturday's matchday programme, which will be available for just £3 as you enter the Cal.Delivery Stadium.

Article first published in the Warrington Guardian.