ALVECHURCH striker Tyrell Hamilton has praised the Worcestershire club for saving their football career after it has been confirmed that he will make the move to the National League North with AFC Telford United for the 2021/22 season.
Hamilton, who has scored a number of goals with the club in a short period of time, has two more games to go for Church this weekend before moving to Telford, where the promising striker will continue to gain valuable experience in non-league football.
Born and raised in northwest Birmingham, it was clear early on that football would be his life and at the age of eight Tyrell joined the Birmingham City team.
He stayed there until August 2018, when successful probationary periods were rewarded with a contract with AFC Bournemouth. He played for both the U23 and the U21 and trained several times with the first team under the then manager Eddie Howe.
But last year when he was on loan to Gosport Borough in the Southern League, the coronavirus pandemic struck, leaving Hamilton in a dark place.
“I’ve had a couple of loan periods, trained with the first team, it was good. I loved it there,” said Hamilton.
“But it was difficult because I was between the U23 and senior teams, I didn’t know what was going on. Then in March the lockdown rolled around while I was on loan at Gosport and obviously everything stopped.
“I was there to work for my deal but the lockdown ended my loan so I couldn’t prove myself, and then in May they made a Zoom call and told me I wasn’t going to step down.
“It was a sad ending.”
With the lockdown and any restrictions affecting non-league football, Hamilton admits he was at a crossroads in his young career.
“It was definitely the toughest season of my football career,” said Hamilton.
“Mentally it was really difficult, I’ve never had to deal with the sacking. When I left Bournemouth I couldn’t go to court or play below because of the ban, so it was up to me to do it or die” Career – I was up the knees.
“No club wanted me, so I didn’t know what to do next, there were no offers.
“Luckily my dad knew the chairman (Richard Thorndike) and when I was watching my brother I was introduced to him. He told me Alvechurch was the best place for me so I went down and I’m so glad I did have.
“I have the greatest respect for Alvechurch because they believed in me when no one did. They gave me the platform to move to Telford, gave me the freedom to play. They took care of me when nobody did me wanted.”
After Hamilton auditioned with Telford earlier that year, Hamilton manager Gavin Cowan impressed and after scoring more goals, he was offered a contract that he believes can be the stepping stone for him to get through the leagues.
“I spoke to the coach (Gavin Cowan) in Telford and he has his plans and I have mine. I did a little research on the club and saw some videos of them playing.
“I like the whole setup, the way they train, they have all the basics to get started, they have everything I need.
“Playing one level up is good for me and I had to take this step. I want to be the best version of myself, whether in the Premier League or the championship, I want to play at the highest level.”
“I know I can, so I have to go through these steps at Telford to show why I can play at this level.”
Hamilton is an ambitious and ambitious young man who not only has his sights set on the higher leagues but also on international football.
He qualified for Jamaica through his parents and grandparents, and Hamilton admits that “it would mean the world to me and my family” to gain international recognition.
“I’ve been trying to play for Jamaica for 16 years so I hope this can be my breakthrough season!” he admitted.
“I think the Gold Cup is next for them and I can play for the 23ers or the first team, so my goal is to play for Jamaica this season.
“Hopefully this season I can get Telford or one of my agents to really try to get a calling for Jamaica. I think it’s a goal that is more than achievable.”
“It would mean the world to me and my family, but most of all to my father. He’s always talking about Jamaica and that would be a great excuse for him to come back to Jamaica and watch me! ”