Andrew Waterworth
Encyclopedia
Andrew Waterworth is a footballer from Northern Ireland
who plays for Glentoran
.
. He is the grandson of former Glentoran defender and captain Noel McCarthy. Waterworth grew up as a Manchester United
fan and was his idol was Eric Cantona
, although since about 1998 he has supported Chelsea
. His first experiences of competitive football was in the Crossgar Youth League where, even at an early age, he excelled in football and won player of the year on a few occasions. On the occasions he didn't win the award he was beaten to it by his cousin Sean McCarthy.
At the age of 7 he was playing for Crossgar U10's and was soon a key player for the talented side. At the age of 9 he was regularly playing on a Saturday for the U12's and a Sunday for the U10's, he had a brilliant career for Kilmore Rec 1sts which he played for at the age of sixteen he also scored seven goals in one match. At the age of 17 he was signed by Glentoran but never really lived up to his potential and eventually moved to Ards. After a promising start injuries got the better of him and he struggled to regain his form.
in January 2008 for a fee of £20,000. He made his debut against Aberdeen
in the Scottish Cup
in February.
He scored his first goal for Hamilton against Dundee
in April 2008.
just like his grandfather 60 years ago, after much interest from Derry City
and Linfield
. The fee was believed to be in the region of £35,000.
Waterworth agreed a new contract with his boyhood club Glentoran
at the end of the 2010/11 season, manager Scott Young signed Waterworth for another two years, on a very big wage cut. Its suspected Waterworth rejected high wage offers from Portadown
to stay with the club he has supported as a little boy.
Waterworth has became a fan favourite in east Belfast, supporters of Glentoran
love his passion for the club and his ability to work under a lot of pressure. Waterworth is a great icon for many young supporters to look up to!
Hamilton Academical
Glentoran FC
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
who plays for Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
.
Early years
Waterworth was always a keen footballer and regularly enjoyed a kickabout with his mates in Tobarmore Park in his hometown of CrossgarCrossgar
Crossgar is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is about 15 miles south of Belfast – between Saintfield and Downpatrick. Crossgar had a population of 1,539 people in the 2001 Census.- History :...
. He is the grandson of former Glentoran defender and captain Noel McCarthy. Waterworth grew up as a Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
fan and was his idol was Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
, although since about 1998 he has supported Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. His first experiences of competitive football was in the Crossgar Youth League where, even at an early age, he excelled in football and won player of the year on a few occasions. On the occasions he didn't win the award he was beaten to it by his cousin Sean McCarthy.
At the age of 7 he was playing for Crossgar U10's and was soon a key player for the talented side. At the age of 9 he was regularly playing on a Saturday for the U12's and a Sunday for the U10's, he had a brilliant career for Kilmore Rec 1sts which he played for at the age of sixteen he also scored seven goals in one match. At the age of 17 he was signed by Glentoran but never really lived up to his potential and eventually moved to Ards. After a promising start injuries got the better of him and he struggled to regain his form.
Lisburn Distillery
Waterworth was snapped up by the Whites boss Paul Kirk who obviously saw great potential in the young striker. Waterworth repaid the Kirk by putting in a number of man of the match performances and scoring a number of goals. During his time at the Whites he was called up to the Northern Ireland U21 side and again put in a number of solid performances for them. After reportedly being scouted by a number of clubs including Aberdeen he eventually signed for Hamilton Academical.Hamilton Academical FC
Waterworth joined Hamilton from Northern Irish club Lisburn DistilleryLisburn Distillery F.C.
Lisburn Distillery is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1880, originated in west Belfast, where it was based at Grosvenor Park at Distillery Street off the Grosvenor Road until 1971...
in January 2008 for a fee of £20,000. He made his debut against Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
in the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
in February.
He scored his first goal for Hamilton against Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
in April 2008.
Return to Glentoran
After a short and somewhat unsuccessful period at Hamilton, Waterworth re-signed for GlentoranGlentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
just like his grandfather 60 years ago, after much interest from Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
and Linfield
Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
. The fee was believed to be in the region of £35,000.
Waterworth agreed a new contract with his boyhood club Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
at the end of the 2010/11 season, manager Scott Young signed Waterworth for another two years, on a very big wage cut. Its suspected Waterworth rejected high wage offers from Portadown
Portadown F.C.
Portadown F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club which plays in the IFA Premiership.The club was founded in the late 1880s and joined the Irish League in 1924. It is based in Portadown in County Armagh and plays its home games at Shamrock Park...
to stay with the club he has supported as a little boy.
Waterworth has became a fan favourite in east Belfast, supporters of Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
love his passion for the club and his ability to work under a lot of pressure. Waterworth is a great icon for many young supporters to look up to!
Other activities
Waterworth is a keen volleyball player, and takes part in the annual Irish grass volleyball tournament in Loughinisland, near his hometown of Crossgar. He also enjoys playing cards, especially Texas hold 'em and estimation whist, posting a current Irish record of 156 points in a recent tournament.Honours
Kilmore Rec FC- Clarence Cup 2003/2004
Hamilton Academical
- Scottish Football League First DivisionScottish Football League First DivisionThe Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
: 2007-08Scottish First Division 2007-08The 2007–08 First Division season was the thirteenth season of the First Division in its current format of ten teams.The team which finished first were automatically promoted to the Scottish Premier League...
Glentoran FC
- Irish Premiership 2008/09
- County Antrim ShieldCounty Antrim ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
2010/2011