Huddersfield Town B Team forward Conor Falls discusses important week in his career
- Newcastle United 0-1 Huddersfield Town
- Conor Falls scores winner in Premier League Cup
- Falls also makes Northern Irish U21 debut
It’s been a week to remember for B Team forward Conor Falls, with the young Northern Irishman following up his debut for his country’s U21 side with a winner in the Premier League Cup against Newcastle United!
Having been down to start in a Town Academy game, plans quickly changed for Falls the evening before when Northern Irish U21 coach Tommy Wright rang. Conor explained:
“It was my first U21s call-up, I’ve been in the U17s and U19s previously. Somebody had dropped out of the squad late on, so I got a call from the manager in the evening asking me to join them which I was absolutely buzzing with.
“I was supposed to be playing for Town so I had to let the Club know, but I travelled straight to camp and trained with the Northern Irish team, and then got thrown straight into it.
“Obviously the English team had some top players, Premier League players, but it was a great experience and a great moment for - it’s a memory I’ll never forget. There were quite a few in the crowd at the game too, so that added to it, I couldn’t have been happier to make my debut.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to play internationally, so I’m hoping I can push on now and try to get into the senior team.”
Falls does’t have to look far for inspiration, with fellow Terrier and countryman Brodie Spencer having made that some step from Town B Team to First Team, whilst earning several caps for the Northern Irish senior side in the process. Now doing brilliantly on loan with Motherwell in Scotland, his is a path that Conor would love to follow.
“Brodie is absolutely flying, so hopefully I can do this same as him, follow exactly what he’s doing. There’s a great pathway, the senior manager at Northern Ireland has given so many young players a chance, just like Brodie, so I’d love to do the same.
“I know it’s been a dream come true for Brodie, and I’m always talking to him. He gives me advice, how to behave around senior players, how to become part of the group, and that really helps when you’re trying to settle in.
“When me and Brodie came over to Huddersfield we definitely both helped each other settle in, it’s easier knowing someone when you go somewhere new when you don’t know anyone, and I think that helped us settled down quicker.
“We’ve been through the same experience at the same time, and it’s been a lot easier having him there.”
đź—Ł "It's a proud moment for me and my family." đź’š
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) November 22, 2023
🎥 @htafc's Conor Falls on his U21 debut last night 👏 #GAWA #U21s pic.twitter.com/qFHrjKjWmL
Having put some early season injury problems behind him, Falls has been back involved with the B Team and enjoying his football within a likeminded group. Looking to make improvements to his game, Conor has clear focus on what areas of his game he wants to get better.
“I’ve really enjoyed being part of our B Team, it’s a great group of lads. We all share the same ambition of pushing into the First Team, we’re all hungry and want to be at our best each day in training.
"The coaches really help me. Obviously as a striker you just want to get as many goals as you can, but they’ve been working on me on my play out of possession, remaining physical in the press and helping the team as much as possible.
“I alway want to be an option for the full-backs down the line and make runs in behind when there’s nothing on short - that’s something that’s been a real focus over the past few months.
"Having been injured for most of the season so far, I’ve had plenty of time in the gym. I’ve used that time to get bigger and stronger, and I’m seeing and feeling that on the pitch now, I feel different and more confident because of it. Sometimes defenders don’t actually want to get as near to you because of your physique, so that’s definitely helped.”
Bringing an eventful week to a close, Falls led the line for the Young Terriers in the Premier League Cup away at Newcastle United, popping up in the latter stages of the game with what would be the winner to cement an important result for the B Team.
“We want to push on in the Premier League Cup, too, try to finish in the top two of the group and get further into the competition” Falls said.
“Everyone was at near enough their best in the game, it was a proper team performance and we all wanted to put the previous result right. Getting the win and the the three points, we want to do the same again in the next one.
“The goal came from a set piece, a corner that got headed out. Omari Mrisho put it straight back in, and I sort of just peeled around the back hoping it would fall to me. I think a Newcastle players actually headed the ball, but it landed at my feet and I finished - left foot half volley, about six or seven yards out.
“It’s always a great feeling when they go in, I had a little knee slide into the corner and looked around at all the boys faces, and there was just a great buzz.”
Building on that experience, Falls has been one of the B Team contingent who have taken an active part in First Team training on occasion, and that’s an experience he’s keen to build on, learn from and make a regularity in the future.
“The injuries are behind me now, so it’s just a matter of pushing on and scoring more goals, while continuing to try and be around the First Team as much as possible.
“I’ve trained with them a few times now, it’s been a great experience where I’ve learned a lot, a different style of playing and it’s good to be around the First Team players and learn more about them and get to know them more.
“I’m quite close with Kian Harratt, so he’s given me some tips on how to play the position, and that transition into the First Team and what it’s been like for him. He’s always there for advice, if I’m ever training with them, he always helps me out.
“Our end goal as B Team players is to be with the First Team, and we see that pathway with so many Academy players making that step up. It gives us great ambition and belief that we can do the same.”
To follow the progress of Conor and all of our Academy and B Team players, follow our dedicated Academy social media channels on X/Twitter and Instagram!
