Teenager, Ronnie Blois, is thriving on the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central stage this season.
The talented front-runner was snapped up by Leiston during the summer having previously impressed for Dereham and he has grabbed the opportunity at Step 3 with both hands, becoming a firm favourite amongst the fans of the Suffolk club.
“It did take me a while to get used to the step up in levels,” he admitted to his club’s media. “But slowly after a few games, you start getting up to speed and now I am really enjoying testing myself at this level.
“I had no clue what to expect when I first arrived; if I’m honest, I’ve impressed myself a little bit with the progress that I have made since then.
“I just want to keep working hard at my game, learn from those around me and get better and better.
“I’ve been able to handle the physical side of things. We try to play quite a bit of football, so I don’t always need that physicality, but in this League it certainly helps!
“I’ve managed to get my name on the scoresheet a few times, which always helps to settle you down when you first arrive at a new team. There have been a few tap-ins amongst them; being alive in and around the six-yard box is what I thrive off!”
Blois is a player that was one the radar of manager, Chris Wigger, and player-coach, Ryan Jarvis from a very early age.
“I’ve known Jarvo [Ryan Jarvis] a long time, being part of the Norwich City set-up,” he added. “He and the Gaffer have put faith in me. I think they know I’m going to make mistakes. I’m young, but I’m trying to do as much as I can.
“I’m in the team and have kept my place, which I think I have earned.
“The hardest thing is just the sharpness of everyone. You have a touch and players are on you straightaway; there’s little time. I give it to the other players to do their thing, and I’ll hopefully be in that six-yard box for those tap-ins!
“I’m enjoying being in this environment, it’s the ideal place for me to develop and grow at this stage of my career. Of course I am ambitious and want to play full-time and this is all part of that journey.
“This is a great club, with great fans. I’m not the loudest guy in the changing room; there are plenty of others for that!”
Having won 3-2 at Barwell in their last outing courtesy of a goal deep into stoppage time, the next test comes in the shape of a home encounter with Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday.
Leiston go into the game in eighth place in the table, only a couple of points off the play-off places, so all is still very much to play for and Blois is sure to be at the heart of it all.
IMAGE: Leiston FC
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