Towell appears set for exciting move to the US
By Caitlin Rundle
FIFTEEN-year-old Tallaght lad, Dan Towell appears to be destined for a move to the US to continue his soccer and educational development at an American college.
The young player from Balrothery secured the opportunity through Global Sports Recruitment director and former Rangers FC player, Dave McPherson.
Dan Towell from Balrothery is gearing up for an exciting move to the United States to continue his soccer career
Dan’s father, Danny Towell, said that his son made the commitment about a month ago, but the process was years in the making.
“He started playing football when he was around six in the academy at Knocklyon and played up with them all the way to Under 13,” Towell explained.
“For that last year he would also play the year above, so when he’d be playing under 11s, he’d be playing Under 12s as well.
“He then moved on to Peamount United. He’s playing under a very good manager in a very good system up in Peamount where they’re all about development and helping the kids develop.”
Dan Towell’s love for football runs in the family. His cousin, Richie Towell, enjoyed League of Ireland and FAI Cup success with Dundalk under then manager Stephen Kenny before moving to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Now currently playing with English Football League Two team, Salford City, the former Crumlin United player is poised to return home to line out with Shamrock Rovers.
“Certainly being related to Richie and Richie being so prominent in the league gave Dan the aspirations that he wanted to play in the League of Ireland someday” remarked Danny.
“Richie would be the ultimate professional, doesn’t drink, he looks after his body, always in the gym and that’s kind of shown Dan, you know, this is what you have to do to be able to get to his level.
“Richie is still at a higher level than what Dan’s going to play at when he gets to the US, but he’s still a role model to have.”
Towell insisted making the decision to take the path offered by GSR was a simple one for his son who was keen on the equal emphasis on athletic and academic achievement that the scholarship brings.
“This scholarship is as much about his grades in school as his football ability and that’s exactly all you want to hear as a parent,” Towell said.
“For me, it’s just selfish things, like you don’t want your son going to the other side of the world for four years, but I won’t deny him that opportunity.”
“He’s been quite a mature lad, this is what he wants to do,” Towell said. “He feels this is a better opportunity for him, he gets his degree plus life experience plus gets to play football full time.
“He’s always played football. Football’s always been his number one, he’s always had aspirations to go and play in the League of Ireland or even play in the UK.
“The next step for him is to just keep playing.”
Towell will have to sit for the SATs as well as his Leaving Cert with both helping to determine his college and course in the US.
And, with family in San Francisco, California, he will be hoping to find a college there.
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