Kyrell Lisbie – son of Charlton favourite Kevin – on Welling United switch and the pain of Watford release

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

New Welling United signing Kyrell Lisbie has admitted that it hurt to be released by Watford over the summer, as he believed he did enough to earn a professional deal with the club.

The 19-year-old was let go by the Hornets – alongside his twin brother Kyreece – after they were relegated from the Premier League.

The duo had a spell at Orient as youngsters, along with having trials at West Ham and Millwall.

They were snapped up by Watford to play for their U18 side on scholarships but were released at the end of last season.

“I was so happy coming from Sunday League and signing for Watford,” Lisbie explained to the South London Press.

“But I had to pick myself back up when that came to an end.

“I have been rejected before in my career, but the feeling did hurt. I felt as though I did well at Watford, but I’m sure that the club going down into the Championship had a massive impact on it.

“It was disappointing, but my dad spoke with me and said: ‘This is just the start – you learn from it’.

“In moments like that, it makes you. You realise what went wrong and why you’re down. You really think to yourself:

‘Did I do enough to get that professional contract?’

“I gave my all and worked hard, but that’s football sometimes.”

Lisbie, who joined the Wings officially last week, is the son of former Charlton Athletic, Colchester and Leyton Orient forward Kevin Lisbie.

The now 40-year-old represented Jamacia at international level and played for a variety of clubs across the football pyramid. He is still plying his trade now, playing for semi-professional side Vickers, Crayford & Dartford Athletic FC.

“I remember watching my dad quite a bit at Orient – he was loved by the fans,” said Lisbie. “He was a striker who was aggressive and scored goals.

“Even when I got older, and he was at Colchester, it was exciting watching my dad because I was nervous every game.

“I didn’t really take it in watching my dad from the stands, but when I was older, it was a privilege watching him every game.

“It’s great for him to be training me, too, with all the experience and knowledge that he has.

“My dad loves giving me the little details when we’re training together. Everything that he has gone through, he passes it on to me.

“He has so much knowledge. For me to have that, especially as it’s my dad, is something special. My dad never put any pressure on us to play football.

“He was the opposite – he was laid back and relaxed. If we chose to go down the football path or chose to do something different, he would support us.

“I always wanted to be a professional footballer. To see what my dad has done in the game, that’s what I want to do too.”

When Welling’s Lisbie made his senior debut for Cray Valley, he was just 16 at the time and replaced his father as a substitute.

“It was special,” said Lisbie. “I’ll never forget that game. I was nervous beforehand, but the moment I stepped on the pitch, all the nerves went away.

“Cray Valley gave me a platform and everything I needed to develop as a footballer. I’ll always thank them.”

Warren Feeney’s Welling side are 13th in the National League South table. Lisbie has joined on a deal until the end of the season after a successful trial.

“I have always wanted to improve my game, and coming down to the National League South was the best move for me in terms of development and understanding the game a bit more,” said the forward.

“Coming from academies, where it’s about the technical side of the game, this level is a different world. Men are bigger and stronger than you, so I have to start working out how I can use my movement to beat my man.

“I’m one of the youngest here. There is a lot of experience in this team. I want to take their game and implement it into mine to pick up little habits they have.”

When asked what the goal is for the rest of the season at Park View Road, Lisbie added: “To reach the play-off spots. With this team, we can go on and breeze past teams in this league. It’s a special team with a lot of quality.

“We had a bumpy start at the start of the season, but there is a lot of togetherness at Welling.

“That fight comes from the manager and filters through to the players. We can really push on and show we are a top team.”

PICTURES: MICHAEL BROWN AND DAVE BUDDEN