“I took Crystal Palace contract for granted” – AFC Wimbledon new boy makes big admission

BY SAM SMITH

Corie Andrews once sprinted down the touchline, shirt aloft, towards the jubilant Holmesdale Fanatics after scoring a hat-trick for Crystal Palace’s U18s against rivals Brighton.

In the euphoria of the moment, nobody could foresee that this would be the pinnacle of his Eagles career. Andrews, once one of the most highly-rated prospects in the academy, now concedes that he took those times for granted.

A three-year professional contract passed in the blink of an eye. At 20, he was cast aside. There were no fresh terms and the striker embarked on a non-league career that started at Whyteleafe and took him to Kingstonian.

A run of nine goals in 11 matches before the national lockdown halted the Isthmian League season has presented an opportunity to reignite his professional career with AFC Wimbledon. Andrews wants to make up for lost time.

“I started at Palace when I was 10. I came through the ranks. When I was 17, I got offered a three-year pro. But I think from there I kind of took it for granted,” the 23-year-old tells the South London Press.

“I thought I had made it already when I was 17. My best form came in the U18s. From the age of 15 to 18, I had my best form at Palace.

“But then time goes quick, life hit me, and three years later I didn’t get offered another contract. That hurt me. I stopped playing for around six months and then my family and friends told me to keep pushing, to keep working hard.

“That’s how I went to Whyteleafe and then Kingstonian. I found form and thankfully I’m here now at AFC Wimbledon.”

Andrews was the first in his age group at Palace to be offered a first professional contract, even ahead of now-Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

But he admits that this made him too comfortable. Having first failed to kick-on in the U21s and then in the revamped U23s, the South Londoner’s world came crashing down after a decade at Palace.

Initially, he did not want to step into non-league but he found a home at Whyteleafe under former Palace youth coach Harry Hudson. Andrews also uses Jamie Vardy’s career as inspiration.

“I didn’t really make mistakes, I was just taking it for granted. I thought that I didn’t have to work as hard because other people in my age group didn’t get offered a pro as early as I did, so I thought that I was ahead of them and could take my foot off the gas,” Andrews – who was nicknamed ‘roadrunner’ at Palace due to his lightning speed – reflects.

“The U23s coaches at the time just told me in a meeting that I wouldn’t be getting offered another contract. I was gutted. I didn’t really know what to say because it’s almost like you have everything and then lose it.

“Football is my life. My family and friends had to keep me going. Football is what I love so I couldn’t really stop playing.

“You feel embarrassed to tell people. When you’ve been full-time and people see that you’re not doing stuff or you’re just at home, they think it’s unusual for me.

“It’s tough to take because it’s what I was doing every day for two or three years – to just not doing anything or having to go on trial.

“I was comfortable at the club and had been there for 10 years, and to then have to go into a new environment is tough.

“When I first left Palace I was trying to stay at the top. I was trying to go to teams who were at the same level. I never thought going into non-league was an option.

“I went for a trial at Blackburn for a week but I didn’t get in. It was up north, training was different and it was a lot more physical. I don’t think I was mentally ready for it – bouncing back from being released.

“But as I’ve got older and as I’ve matured, I’ve seen people come through the system. I’ve seen players like Jamie Vardy come through and seen that there is a pathway back up through non-league. His style of play, being on the shoulder of the defenders and trying to get in behind, is just how I like to play.”

Andrews’ excellent non-league form earned him a January move to Wimbledon. The Dons used the final reserves of their playing budget to take him from Kingstonian.

The Brixton-based forward expected to move to the National League, where he had offers, but is excited about the challenge of being back in a professional environment.

“I was playing for Kingstonian, and I was in a good bit of form around September and October. We then had a two-week break. I played in a friendly against Met Police and I heard that Wimbledon watched me play.

“Apparently, the scout liked me. I got offered an opportunity to come in on trial and prove myself.

“I was surprised [about Wimbledon’s interest] because Kingstonian are in the Isthmian league. It’s like a four-league jump. I wasn’t expecting that, I didn’t know what to say.

“When they signed me, they said to just take my opportunity. They said it’s a good opportunity to show what I can do.

“It’s been tough. It just shows that the environment is that you have to work 10-times harder than you would normally work. Everyone is friendly.

“It’s full-time – I’ve missed that. Every day, you do everything in more detail. The fitness, the gym, the rehab, just being in football full-time again is perfect for me.

“I want to help the team on the field, however I can.”

PICTURE: AFC WIMBLEDON FC