Cherries: Williamson looking to repay Bradbury's faith

ROOKIE frontman Ben Williamson is desperate to justify Lee Bradbury's faith by proving his worth in the professional ranks. Cherries boss Bradbury made Williamson along with Mathieu Baudry his first recruit when he snapped up the 20-year-old earlier this month. The striker, a product of Glenn Hoddle's Spain-based academy, signed non-contract terms with Cherries until the end of the season. A former Croydon Athletic youth team player, Williamson went on to star for Worthing in non-league before also playing university football. Spotted by George Foster, one of Hoddle's scouts, Williamson earned a chance to work under the former England and Tottenham boss. He made a brief substitute appearance during the 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient and looked very lively after coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes at Walsall on Saturday. Williamson, who netted in Cherries reserves' 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers last week, is again likely to feature when Bradbury's men travel to Bristol Rovers in League One tonight (7.45pm). He told the Echo: I have seen a bit of League One and have been watching the past few games. It is nothing to be scared of. I just need to be ready for it. Getting into league football has always been a target and that was my main ambition when I went to Spain. I didn't think it would happen so quickly I was only there for four months. I thought I would maybe be there for a season and then, hopefully, pick up something in the summer. It has come round quicker and I have got to take it. There is always something to prove. When you are coming from non-league, you have got to prove you are worthy of being a professional footballer. Hopefully, I can do that. The manager has given me the opportunity so I just want to thank him and prove that he made the right decision and do well. Williamson spoke highly of Hoddle's academy. During his time in Spain, he scored 11 goals in 14 games for lower-league outfit Jerez Industrial. The Londoner added: It helped me massively. The training was so good and, just in the four months I was there, I improved as a player.

Source: Bournemouth_Echo