Australian Dylan Mobbs is hoping that Kendal Town can give him the platform he has been seeking to forge a career in English football.
The 18-year-old made a pleasing debut for the Mintcakes on Saturday when he helped them register a first away win of the season – 1-0 at Colne.
It was a remarkable effort by the Queenslander as he had only been told on New Year’s Eve that his international clearance had come through for him to play.
That meant an early morning dash from Surrey, where he’d been staying with relations, as he caught trains from Epsom to Waterloo to Euston to Preston where he was picked-up by a relieved Michael O’Neill, the Kendal chairman.
O’Neill said: “Our only recognised striker Scott McDonald had been injured in training on Thursday but fortunately Dylan’s clearance came through earlier than we expected and I was able to contact him and prepare him for the trip north.”
Mobbs had arrived in the UK last June to join Fleetwood’s innovative International Academy and had knocked in 25 goals for them against a variety of opponents.
But playing elsewhere still needed clearance and he was preparing for a debut in a Westmorland Cup match with Appleby on January 11.
“My dad is from London and I was staying with relations for a couple of weeks when I got Michael’s call. It was a frantic dash but I got there in time and I really enjoyed the game.
“I’d been told that the NPL West was a bit more physical than I would be used to and I think that’s right, so I will be ready for that. It was great to be in a team winning their first away game of the season,” he said.
The 6ft 3ins, 11kg centre-forward had played a lot of his early football as a winger but is happy now to “lead the line.”
Although football is not on the family CV, Mobbs found the game at an early age playing with community junior sides in Brisbane.
At ten years of age he joined Eastern Suburbs and then Brisbane City, by now well bitten by the football bug.
He had a short spell in Italy with Venezia, who now play in Serie A, and then experienced Spanish football where he had the offer of a contract with Merida.
“I didn’t think it was what I was looking for and decided to have a try in England when Fleetwood started their International Academy. I’ve enjoyed the experience and now I’m looking forward to helping Kendal beat the drop and get noticed,” he says.
Kendal manager Dave Woodruff said: “For someone coming in after a long train journey and not knowing anyone he did really well. He gave it everything and I’m looking forward to seeing him with us for a while.”
