Maldon teenager James Conway is celebrating after becoming a Maldon and Tiptree Football Club first team player.

James, 18, who had previously started to lose confidence in his performance on the pitch, told his story to Maldon Nub News to help inspire others.

He said: "Less than 12 months ago I was playing college level football alongside playing for the under-17s at Maldon & Tiptree Youth FC, not performing my best, lacking confidence and really not enjoying my football at all. I was dropped from my college team after some mediocre performances and it got to the point where I would have given up the sport.

"However, with the support of my teammates and coaches at Maldon and Tiptree I started gaining my confidence and found my love for football again. Most players at a young age will have similar struggles to what I did. It's all normal, it's just about how you adapt to it."

It was through the club's fantastic performance in last year's FA Cup that James then found the inspiration to take a step forwards.

He added: "The Maldon & Tiptree first team's incredible run in the FA cup in the 19/20 season, however, is what really got me motivated and made me want to work hard so that I could be part of something like that."

"Working with my goalkeeper coach and doing extra sessions by myself, whether that was going to the park early in the mornings or after college to practice my distribution, or in the back garden throwing a ball against a rebounder, gym sessions, agility work, I had fully committed to wanting to be the best goalkeeper I could be.

"I will continue to do these things as I am motivated to improve. Something my coach has always said to me is that doing something for half an hour everyday that's going to improve your game, overtime will improve you as a player massively"

Now James is looking forward to his next chance in the game.

He said: "Once I felt confident enough in my abilities I had to find the gut to contact the first team for an opportunity to train with them. Turning up to my first session I was nervous – however, all the players and staff made me feel extremely welcome and I love training with the team. I've learnt a lot and my game has taken a massive leap since working with Ben MacNamara (1st team GK) and the rest of the squad.

"The icing on the cake is to now have the ability to say I'm a Maldon and Tiptree FC first team player. I will continue to work hard so that I am prepared for when my next opportunity comes."