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Tommy Anderson signs for the Centurions

Report(s) from Jon Palmer - Sports Editor at www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk

In the first of two reports from Jon:

Tommy Anderson has signed for Cirencester Town following his release by Forest Green Rovers at the end of last season.

The 19-year-old winger impressed during a long term loan spell with Charlie Griffin's Centurions side in Southern League Division One West.

They missed out on a play-off place on goal difference after a superb run of form during the second half of the campaign.

Anderson spent part of his childhood growing up in Cyprus and has previously been on the books of Aston Villa's academy.

The former St Peter's High School pupil appeared on loan from Forest Green for Weston-super-Mare during the 2016/17 campaign, signing a one year professional contract at the New Lawn last summer.

Jon followed this up with an interview:

Tommy Anderson is confident he can return to full-time football in the near future after signing for Southern League Cirencester Town.

The 19-year-old former Aston Villa academy player was released by Forest Green Rovers this summer after five years with the Nailsworth club.

He has dropped four levels to join a club at which he shone on loan in 2017/18, aiming to help them challenge for promotion under boss Charlie Griffin next term.

"I am absolutely delighted to sign for Cirencester and the reason I have decided to commit to the club is because of how much I enjoyed my loan spell," Anderson said.

"Charlie was fantastic to play for. His aim is to get the best out of all his players and he does that because his relationship with every player is top class.

"Going part-time will allow me to explore other hobbies I am passionate about, for example my love of cars. But I have no doubt I will return to full-time football in the near future."

Anderson has learned plenty from his year as a young professional, working with some experienced players in the senior squad on a daily basis.

"My time at Forest Green was brilliant," he said.

"It was an eye opener to what life as a pro footballer really is, but it's experienced pros like Scott Laird and Christian Doidge that really help you to progress."

Helped by Anderson's fine form, Cirencester's form saw them surge towards the play-off places in Division One West of the Southern League during the second half of the campaign, but they agonisingly missed out on goal difference to Didcot Town.

"I was absolutely gutted we missed out on play-offs," he said.

"Even as a loan player I was so disappointed that I couldn't have done more to help the boys because they deserved nothing less, especially after the excellent second half of the season we had."

Anderson lived in Cyprus before joining Villa at the age of 10, remaining with the then Premier League club until he was 14, when he switched to Forest Green.

This entry was posted on 30 May 2018 at 08:07 and is filed under First Team. You can leave a response here.

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