Galway's Harrison Reeves - It is tough because since I was little I’ve always had the dream of playing professional football

In Ireland it’s an extremely common occurrence to see young players move to the UK to further their careers as professional footballers.

It’s always a point of interest when a young footballer moves the opposite way, from the UK to the League of Ireland to try and give their career a kick.

Galway United’s Harrison Reeves is one such player, the midfielder spent several years as part of the Bristol City Academy having joined the club’s under-10 team years ago.

“It was really good. It’s good to play football in England and especially at Bristol City because all you learn from a very young age is it’s all about passing and keeping the ball, touches on the ball,” the 19 year old told extratime.ie

“From a young age I’ve always learned how to pass it out from the back, just ball skills really so I think I’ve become a better player from that.”

At the age of 18 Reeves suffered a major setback to his aspirations of playing professional football when Bristol City released him from the club.

“It’s tough because since I was little I’ve always had the dream of playing professional football whether it be in England or abroad or whatever so it’s tough but I’m quite a strong character anyway so I’ve picked myself up to go again,” he said.

The midfielder did pick himself up, gaining senior experience with Dursley Town, Brimscombe & Thrupp and Slimbridge before linking up with Shane Keegan’s Galway United squad.

Senior football has been a bit of a transition for the 19 year old but it’s something he feels he is adapting to.

“It’s definitely a lot different. I think academy football is very shielded from the reality of what men’s football is like to be honest.

“Playing academy football we never learned that sometimes you might have to stick it in behind instead of playing it to feet to win games, because it’s all about winning games at the end of the day with men’s football.

“I think I’ve transitioned to it well because I think I’ve always been quite a tough player and I’ve adapted quite well.”

Reeves was the final addition to The Tribesmen for the 2018 season and only signed for the club a couple of weeks ago after appearing in the club’s friendly against Shelbourne on Friday, 16^th February.

“I’ve got a few very good people around me and they advised me it would be good to go and get first team football somewhere abroad, because it’s still a good standard of football, learn my trade, stay here at the moment and my plan is to return to England one day.

“The setup is really good here. I watched the game the other night Galway versus Athlone. I think the standard is great and the support behind everyone is really good.”