Player In Focus – Toby Scammell

Midway through the Player in Focus week and we catch up with last season’s club top goalscorer and penalty wizard Toby Scammell.

One of the youngest in the club but how has your second year gone in the First Team so far?

“This year so far has been up and down, started the season off strong but then picked up a red card after a silly decision and took three games out, I then found my form and playing well consistently picked up goals and assist, I was then hit with a bad injury which left me sidelined for 2 months and I’m slowly getting back fit and doing what I can to improve on the form I was on before Christmas.”

Club top goalscorer last season, second top goalscorer for the first team so far this season with 10 (which already eclipses last season), even after being out for 2 months, and even scoring from RB with a perfect penalty record, how does this rank in terms of your expectations?

“Last season was a great start for me in men’s football and picking up good numbers, this season I started well but I can honestly say I haven’t reached the potential I know I can and what the coaches know I can, the injury was a massive set back as it had a toll on whether I should return this soon and I can say it has affected me whilst back as there’s still that fear I can redo the injury and may put me out for a lot longer that what it did. I’d say I’m not reaching the expectations I thought yet but will keep on working hard on and off the pitch to find my form and help the team in any way I can.”

What do you feel is different this season, from last season?

“The main difference between this season and last is my confidence, I joined Poulton not knowing if I was up to the standard and wasn’t very vocal with the other lads and overall pretty shy to begin with, but this season my confidence is there and somewhat cocky at some times which isn’t pretty. Another key factor is the great group of lads we have here and making my effort to get to know them all and making my footballing experience better each week.”

As a young player, how has Poulton helped you develop?

“As a young player Poulton have helped me cut out all of my old habits from grassroots stuff that wouldn’t cut it in the men’s game, also being young it’s great to be around the older players in the team and them helping me on and off the pitch not only become a better player but a better man off the pitch.”

What are your targets for the rest of this season and next?

“Next season my targets are to score more, assist more and just become a better player overall, I’m going to have a hard focused preseason getting back into shape and becoming stronger in many more areas and be a better player for my team and helping them in every way.”