SWINDON TOWN: Charlie goes back to where it all began (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON TOWN: Charlie goes back to where it all began

7:20am Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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LESS than 10 months ago, an unknown rookie strode onto the pitch at Brunton Park for his start as a professional footballer.

And just three minutes later Charlie Austin had firmly announced himself on the League One stage.

The 21-year-old’s rags to riches story from a building site to the full-time game has been regurgitated so many times that even the player, by his own admission, is growing bored of hearing it.

But one thing Austin will never tire of is the memory of controlling Billy Paynter’s right wing cross, firing past Carlisle keeper Lenny Pidgeley and watching the ball nestle in the back of the net.

While the former Poole Town frontman’s fairytale story shows no sign of slowing down - with a 20-goal debut season and an England Under 21 call-up not far away - whatever Austin achieves in his sure-too-be long and successful career, it will all stem back to that wet November afternoon in Cumbria.

“It’s good memories for me,” he told the Advertiser ahead of his first game back in Carlisle since that game.

“I made my debut up at Carlisle and scored after three minutes, so it’s great memories and good to be going back.

“It was something I was really looking forward to - you don’t get a better feeling than making your league debut and scoring.

“You could say it’s all gone from strength to strength so far.

“I scored 20 goals in my first season, but I want to better that this time round and get us promoted as well.”

Austin bagged his third goal of the season on Tuesday night against Southampton, as Town progressed to the second round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

The 3-0 victory was also Swindon’s first of the campaign and the forward is now determined to take that form into League One.

“We’ve got to concentrate and try to get three points on Saturday for our first league win,” he explained.

“It was alright winning on Tuesday night, but that was the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

“Yes, we needed the win and it was great to get that, but the league is the most important thing and hopefully that will kick-start us off in the league.

“We all went into training on Wednesday morning and were a lot happier than we have been.

“Long may that continue.

“Carlisle have made a good start to the season and Brunton Park isn’t an easy place to go at all.

“But we’ll go there, put 100 per cent in and try to get the points.”