Ahead of a very busy set of fixtures the Bulls’ boss Paul Caddis has moved quickly to sign the former Nuneaton player Camron McWilliams.
Yes, its Camron (no e). the E was extra and we couldn’t afford it. But seriously..if our players are still fined when their names are misspelt by the opposition, he might as well hand his wallet over now. He’s fortunate that we’ve played Gloucester twice who couldn’t get their own players name right, let alone the opposition. The name literally means twisted nose.
Camron is 22. Primarily a right back with pace, he’s been known to play right wing and also defensive midfield. He joined the academy of his home town club Northampton aged 13 which created a little interest as his older brother Shaun was already with the Cobblers. By January 2019, he had impressed sufficiently to be given an 18-month pro contract – just like his brother who by now was a first team regular. “He is aggressive and he is mobile and can play in a number of positions” enthused the then Gaffer Keith Curle.
During the second half of the Checkatrade trophy match against Fulham U21, two brothers played in the same Northampton team for the first time since 1933. “It was a very proud moment for me” enthused Camron afterwards to club media. And his parents too of course who have two other sons in the Villa academy. (the older of the two, Ashton, is now part of their U18s). imagine having 4 footballing sons? Presents will be easy enough but the logistics around training and matches must be very difficult. Who do you watch?
For older brother Shaun, Fulham was just another match. (as a senior pro, he’s gone on to make over 200 appearances for Northampton). For his sibling, this remains the height of his career. He was released by Northampton in 2020, along with 14 others which included Andy Williams. Their paths probably didn’t cross much, other than as “Shaun’s little brother”.
His agents New Era Global Sports lined up a move to Cardiff City. Here he had a year in their U23 team before being released. He was close to re-signing for the Cobblers, even playing a pre-season friendly for them but the Northampton manager (and ex Bull) Jon Brady said “he must keep his fitness up because in the past he’s broken down through injury” and didn’t take him on.
Camron had to find a job and find a part-time football club. St Ives was his first destination before he joined Nuneaton in December 2021. There he would stay – a two-month loan at Sutton Town apart right to the bitter end. As it was bitter as Nuneaton Borough closed again.
This season, he’s played 26 times, nearly all in defence, scoring 3 goals. He’s actually one of the last of the doomed squad to leave. Their senior men bailed out several weeks ago but maybe there is no great demand for a right back. His former Nuneaton team mate Jaden Charles played against us last week for Rushall.
Welcome Camron. You have a two-month window to make an impression.
Simon Wright
