Special feature about Romoney Crichlow from The Terrier
- Romoney Crichlow’s story so far
- Defender on making his Huddersfield Town debut
- Feature first season in The Terrier
In the space of just four years I’ve gone from non-league at 16/17 years old to making my Championship debut at 21 years old. A lot has happened in that time, but it has been good!
When I moved up here to join Town from London, I had to change my professional mindset. I went from doing what I want and turning up to training when I want, compared to now when things are a lot more structured and more detailed, but that structure has helped me become a better professional and made me mature.
It was so hard moving up North for the first time by myself and living by myself. It was massive change that I found hard to transition to, but I have got used to it and become more self-sufficient. I have grown up a lot since moving; it’s what I needed, even if things are scary or dauting like moving up North was for me, if you want to succeed you, sometimes, have to take a leap of faith and do things out of your comfort zone.
So, after I moved up to Huddersfield, I went out on my first loan move to Bradford Park Avenue and that was a good move. I was here at Canalside through the week then on a weekend I would be playing games with them (BPA) on a weekend which was a good experience. That loan move was in National League North, which was a fantastic experience. I didn’t play much but sometimes you don’t have to play all the time to learn, watching and listening can help you learn too.
My second loan move was to Hartlepool United and this was in the National Prem (National League); that was another great experience. From there it’s been only been getting better and better.
Last season I was at Welling and I would say that was probably my best learning experience. I played about six or seven games and in those got a few Man of the Match awards. The experience allowed me to develop really well. I matured in my game a lot and I got physically and mentally stronger which has helped me a lot since.
Whilst my experiences on loan were helping me develop as a footballer, I changed a lot as a person off the pitch after my Mum passed away last year.
It made me sit back and realise there is a lot that I should be appreciating in life and that unfortunately you’re not here forever, so you have to make the most out of life while I am here in both my personal life and my career.
It really made me re-evaluate and focus on what I wanted most out of life and what I wanted to achieve, and that for me is being a footballer. I will do everything I can to continue to be a footballer and ensure that I am the best I can be when I walk out onto that field.
Everything I am going to do now is in my Mum’s name. She was and still is my inspiration. She was the one who made me start playing football and the person who got me into it. She was always my number one supporter from day one, so I will try my best to make her proud. Everything I do now is all for her and in memory of her.
Being in the First Team this year was a step to continuing to make my Mum proud. I was incredibly excited when I was first told that I would be training and playing with them. I knew it was going to be a challenge at first, but I am always up for every challenge and opportunity that I am provided with.
I really knuckled down and concentrated on being the best I could be, so I didn’t disappoint anyone or myself.
The night before the Rochdale game, my first game with the First Team, was an incredibly long night. I really found it hard to sleep, you try your best to get as much rest as you can the night before a match, but like anyone before their debut you are nervous and excited, so struggle to turn off.
The debut against Rochdale was a big moment for me, but it was also a big moment for my family and friends too.
The lads in the dressing room were so supportive. They all told me I was there for a reason and deserved to be there, which was incredibly reassuring before stepping out onto the pitch with them for the first time.
I hadn’t told any of my family I was making my debut so when they saw the team sheet my phone would not stop ringing, I had to turn my phone off in the changing room before the game so I could concentrate.
Even though it felt like it came around so quickly the debut was an incredibly proud moment for me and an amazing personal achievement.
Schoie (Danny Schofield) has been my go-to; he is my mentor. I have a good connection with him, he helped out a lot last season, so any problems I have I go to Schoie. We speak a lot, have meetings a lot, but he 100% has my back and I know he will always be there to help me if I need it.
I have had a few moments where everything feels surreal and I have to take some time to sit and take it all in, but I have enjoyed it so far.
I hope there are many more to come and I can’t wait to play in front of the crowds at home one day which will be a big moment for me.
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