Teen footballer makes league breakthrough and earns international call-up

A MELKSHAM teenager has made a flying start to his professional football career after signing his first professional contract with Swindon Town and earning a call-up into the Kenyan national team.

17-year-old Louis Millard has signed a two-year contract and has already broken into Swindon’s League Two side this season, playing six games and scoring his first goal in the 3-1 home win against Port Vale.

“It’s definitely been a big milestone for me and the family, signing my first professional contract,” said Louis. “For me it’s been a dream since young to become a professional footballer, and to finally reach this point feels like I’ve made my younger self proud; however I am very aware that this is only the start of a new journey which will require even more hard work and resilience to continue my career.”

And he said his family were “over the moon” when they heard he had signed.

Louis, a former student at Melksham Oak Community School, made his first start against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup in August, where he thought he had scored before the effort was officially recorded as a deflected own goal.

“Making my professional debut was a very special moment for me,” said Louis. “I thought I had scored on my debut but after the game to be told they put my shot down as a deflected own goal was disappointing but it made me even more determined to make sure the next ‘goal’ was counted down as my goal.”

Louis didn’t have to wait long for his first goal, netting in only his third appearance against Port Vale.

“In the last few minutes of the game, the Port Vale defender had the ball and slipped over leaving a clear path to goal. I’m not really too sure what made me chip him but it worked,” Louis explained.

His performances for Swindon earnt Louis a call-up for Kenya’s squad for the AFCON qualifying games against Eritrea and Guinea in September but a minor shoulder injury meant he had to pull out.

Louis began his footballing journey at Melksham Town and said he was proud of the role the town played in helping him reach the professional game. And he had this advice to young players looking for a career in football, “I’d say to young players in Melksham believe in yourself, work hard and enjoy the journey. There will be setbacks, but every experience helps you improve. Keep working towards your goals and take every opportunity you get.”