Under-18s centre-back Will Hall has enjoyed a successful loan spell at Kings Langley so far this campaign, developing as a footballer both on and off the pitch.
Having joined Watford in 2018, Hall has been at the Hornets for three years and alongside his natural talent, his work ethic has enabled him to progress to captaining the Under-18 side.
However, his game has gone up a level after joining Southern League Premier Division South side Kings Langley on loan. Hall has featured consistently for the Kings and has enjoyed acclimatising to his new surroundings in the men’s game.
“I know it’s very clichéd, but the biggest change has been the physicality and the desire to win in men’s football,” Hall said.
“At an Academy level you want to win every game, of course you do. You want to succeed but at men’s football there is a change where you don’t just want to win, you need to win. You’re playing against guys who are in their late 20s, and they are part-time footballers using it as a source of income. I’m a 17-year-old boy coming in from Watford and they look at me and say ‘If you’re not here to do what we want you to do it’s not going to work’.
“I would say that the biggest thing is you go from an educational, learning-type atmosphere, to 'We need to win’. I absolutely love it because you need to win, and getting involved in that dogfight environment is great.
“We [Kings Langley] are slightly lower down the table, certainly lower down then where we want to be, but every game is huge. The occasion is amazing.”
Hall has settled in well at Kings Langley, crediting the manager, Chris Cummings and his staff for the welcome. However he explained he still feels close to his parent club Watford, and has engaged in regular conversations with the Academy staff.
“I’ve loved every second of it,” Hall beamed.
“The gaffer, Chris Cummings, has been amazing with me understanding that I’m still 17, but also letting me know that this isn’t a playground – this is men’s football. The assistants Ryan Jackett, the other members of staff and the players as well. I feel like I’ve come into the squad and have been welcomed very nicely, to be honest, a lot nicer than I thought I would’ve been.
“I still train with the Academy so I have that very close contact with Tom [Hart], the Under-18s Lead Coach. I have a great relationship with him. I can go to Jimmy [Gilligan] and Richard [Johnson] and speak to those three about any problems. They keep me as close as possible to the team and I will be forever thankful for all they have done for me.”
In October, Hall was presented with the Player of the Month award for his performances in defence for Kings Langley, and he now hopes to continue building momentum going into the next few months.
“The award gave me reassurance and a boost because I know I’m obviously doing the right things, playing well and enjoying it,” he said.
“That is a little token to push you to keep going. It’s a strange time because it’s all so new. People can say that you’re doing well, but that Player of the Month gives you that reassurance from the supporters that they’ve taken to you really well and they’re enjoying it.”
Despite being away from the Hornets, the defender has been joined by fellow Watford Academy loanees Alfie Marriott and Adian Manning at Kings Langley. Hall admits it has been great to mix with fellow Academy players, while pushing himself out of his comfort zone.
“It’s been really nice to have familiar faces around the team, because going into a new environment can be a little bit strange,” Hall added.
“Especially as a centre-half, my goalkeeper behind me [Marriott] is one of my best mates and someone who I have known at Watford for a number of years. Having him there has been really helpful, as well as Adian coming in this weekend.
“It was quite strange to be playing with Adian again because other than the FA Youth Cup I haven’t played with him in ages, but it was great to have him in. He is another piece in the jigsaw that can really help the team because we are in a dogfight. Hopefully bringing in players like Adian, Alfie and myself can really help the squad.”
With the season almost at the halfway point, Hall is looking forward to climbing the league table with the Kings.
“For Kings Langley I really want to help get them higher in the table,” said Hall.
“They are a great club with some great players and a great set of supporters who don’t deserve to be down in the relegation zone. I want to get them to a position where they deserve to be, and I look forward to doing that.”
While Hall, Marriott and Manning all featured in Kings Langley's defeat to Walton Casuals on Saturday, Philip Zinckernagel was among the other Watford loanees to feature across the weekend, in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 victory against Hull City. Elsewhere, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton notched an assist in a 3-1 win against Woking as Yeovil Town advanced in the FA Trophy.
