Goalkeeper Myles Roberts has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence at Watford since joining in January 2020. Successful loan spells at clubs like Concord Rangers and - most recently - Welling United have given the 21-year-old a platform to pursue his next challenge with the Hornets – pushing for a first-team position.
However, the shot-stopper began his footballing journey as a clinical striker before making the move backwards. That would also coincide with a move to Reading which Roberts believes taught him important, fundamental skills.
“My first footballing memory was around the age of six or seven,” he began. “I wasn’t a goalkeeper at the time and sometimes I used to start up top. I really enjoyed playing in goal though, and I started there for a few years and then bounced around a few Sunday league teams and got picked up by Reading at the age of 10.
“It was a big moment for me [signing for Reading] because I hadn’t had any previous academy experience. I know that a lot of boys have played from Under-5 or Under-6 in different youth set-ups, but for me, I just played Sunday league.
“Signing at the age of 10 was a big moment for me and my family. I went in at Reading and stayed for eight years. I learnt a lot there and those are the years where you improve technically the most.
“You learn your foundations as a goalkeeper because now when you play in the Under-18s or Under-21s you have to have those foundations built already. From the age of 10 up until I left Reading, I learnt those foundations and basic techniques. I was watching the first-team goalkeepers, seeing what they did.”
Reminiscing on the moment he moved to Watford, Roberts recalls signing his first deal and the role Graham Stack - the former Academy Head of Goalkeeping - played in his relocation to Vicarage Road.
“Signing for Watford was a special moment for me,” he continued. “During that period before I signed, I was on loan playing at Tonbridge Angels in the Conference South and Graham Stack saw me play.
“I think he saw me in a training session as well and he saw something in me. For six months of that season, he was watching and my agent told me there was interest there. Graham showed belief in me and the club have had some great goalkeepers over the years. I wanted to come and be a part of that, and work in the same building that they have worked in.
“I came in and it was an amazing feeling. I can remember signing with my mum, my sister and my dad, and it was an amazing feeling. It was similar to signing at Reading, but this time it was my first professional contract.”
Focusing on his loan spells, the goalkeeper believes they have been instrumental to his development and would encourage other Academy players to take on that challenge.
Roberts said: “I’ve been to Wingate and Finchley for a short period and the following season I made the step up to the National League South and played for Concord Rangers, and this campaign I have played for Welling United.
“The loans have been the most enjoyable time for me because you are under pressure and you have to make saves. I think the hardest thing is adapting to those new dressing rooms when you are trying to assert yourself with guys who have played in the Football League. It’s about getting that place in the team and trying to keep it.
“I think it’s crucial and being a goalkeeper, the only way you improve is through experience. For me, it was about going and getting that valuable experience and then taking it back in the building at Watford, either with the first-team or Under-21s.”
Now back with Watford and training with the first-team, Roberts believes this is an opportunity to showcase his ability. He was named in the matchday squad for the first time against Coventry City (April 10), and he is excited for what the future holds.
“It’s a new challenge for me,” he added. “I want to come in and assert myself and show what I can do, but also, I want to learn from the boys who are doing it like Daniel Bachmann, Ben Hamer and Maduka Okoye.
“These guys have all played and are playing at a high level, and I just want to learn as much as I can while showing what I can do as well.
“My biggest aspiration is to one day play for the first-team, and it’s a dream that I have had since signing for the club. Whenever that will be I don’t know, but I’m working hard towards that and hopefully I will make that dream a reality.”
