Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Austin: Six weeks with Cherries made my career
GRATEFUL Charlie Austin has expressed his thanks to Cherries and admits his time at Dean Court played a major role in his fairytale rise. The Swindon Town striker will today line up against some familiar faces when he takes |on his former suitors for the first time since he enjoyed a six-week stint with Eddie Howe's men. Austin, during his time with Poole Town, was handed an extended trial after Cherries' head of community sports trust Steve Cuss, Dolphins' first team coach, recommended him to boss Howe. The Wessex League goalscoring phenomenon trained and played in friendly and reserve fixtures for the Dorset outfit, but the club's transfer embargo put paid to any hopes of a permanent deal. Swindon pounced to secure Austin's services and he has gone on to build a big reputation on the back of a prolific net-busting spree. But Austin has not forgotten his time with Cherries and believes he would not have enjoyed such success without it. Speaking ahead of this afternoon's meeting at the County Ground (3pm), he told the Echo: Those six weeks were a massive boost for me. I've always said to my family and friends that, if I hadn't gone to Bournemouth and wasn't there for those six weeks, I don't honestly think I would have made it at Swindon, because I had the fitness from when I was there. I just needed that coaching and it has improved my all-round game completely in the past 18 months. I owe massive thanks to Steve Cuss for getting me in there and I thank Eddie and Jason for the six weeks and the hard work they put into me. Unfortunately, with the transfer embargo, I couldn't sign there. I got lucky when Swindon came knocking. Austin, whose goalscoring exploits have made him one of the most sought-after players outside the top flight, describes his rise from non-league hotshot to professional marksman as a whirlwind. I've done a lot of hard work through these 18 months (at Swindon) and worked on all areas of my game, said the frontman, whose family live in Westbourne. You just want to work hard for the team and, if you score, it's a massive bonus. It's amazing to think that I've gone from what I was doing two years ago to what I'm actually doing now and to think that it's all happened so fast. Long may it continue. In 57 appearances for Poole Town, Austin earned legendary status and elevation to the professional ranks by scoring a remarkable 64 goals. ¢ Cherries' League One home clash against Sheffield Wednesday has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 1.