Jack Currie came tantalisingly close to realising an eight-year ambition when he made the first-team bench last Saturday for the match versus Lincoln City.
The left-back’s journey certainly fits well with the club’s story of coming back stronger through adversity as Jack endured a very difficult first scholarship year, blighted by serious injury. Jack, who joined our academy at the age of just 10, believes it was a turning point in his career, as he seeks to go one step further than last Saturday and make his first-team debut.
"In the first year of my scholarship I suffered a stress fracture of my back, which was obviously a horrible moment for me and my family," said Jack, who is pictured right above with Zach Robinson (left) and Huseyin Biler, at Plough Lane. "It meant I couldn’t do the thing that I loved. That was tough: seeing all my team-mates progress as well as they did made me realise how much I missed the sport and how much I wanted to be a part of it. The injury gave me a new hunger, it was character building, and I have been good for it.
“It means so much to me. It has been a long journey that we’ve all been on, especially due to injuries, so it’s great to get recognised for what I have been doing in training. Just having the chance to walk through (at Plough Lane) and see my number in the dressing room, there is no better feeling in the world.
“I live in Esher, so not too far away. It’s been a good journey so far, and something that I am proud of. I am so lucky because this place has really been a part of me. Even though it was just on the bench it was still a proud moment for my family and I just want to keep making them proud by working hard and taking my opportunities when they come.
“Making my debut is the main priority, but it has to mean something and if I get the chance to cross that white line I have to keep pushing on.”
“Knowing what the club is worth, the story that we’ve been through, is a massive part – we’ve all grown up knowing the story of the Dons. It has been such a great story to be a part of, now to actually be in it, is amazing to me. I have been here since the age of 10, I’ve developed here, and know all about what the badge is worth. Hopefully, I can give something back to the fans.”
Jack, who enjoyed a promising loan spell at Leatherhead earlier this season, is thankful to our first-team coach Mark Robinson for guiding him through the ranks. At academy level, Robbo was a key influence in the careers of Jack, and Zach Robinson, Huseyin Biler, and Archie Procter – all four making the squad for the match versus Lincoln.
“Robbo has been massive for me, helping me with the whole mindset of the game, telling me to believe in my ability, and that if I do that I will get the chances. He really gave us the belief, sticking by us through thick and thin. That’s why he has been such a significant character in my development.
“We’ve all grown up together over the past few years, playing minutes in the same team, and to have that progression into the first-team squad means a bit more to us. If we stick together, stay focused, and keep that determination, hopefully we will get more chances.”
Jack wants to be an all-action left-back who gives his all for the cause and he earned a reputation during his rise through the ranks for unleashing a very useful weapon – the long throw-in!
“It’s not something that’s recognised much, but when it’s needed it will come out! I have always done my core work ever since my injury, I’ve worked around the muscles for a long throw, and it has kind of helped me out.
“As a left-back I want to be known as a player who gives 100 per cent and fights every minute for the team with all my heart, everything that the Dons are about. I would like to think I have a lot of that in me.”