One on One | From non-league to the World Cup, with Callum Wilson!

0:02Do you remember the first time you were on Match of the day? Yeah, of course, I think I still have it on the box somewhere. Of course, it's nice to see in the Premier League players coming from, you know, international, overseas and things like that. But it's also nice to see stories similar to myself, similar to Semenyo, where you've had to graft. You go from a boy from Coverture, you're playing Wolf with Robbie Williams, it's like, what the hell? I'm sitting here because hard work has got me here. Yeah, just living a childhood dream, I guess.

0:40Hello and welcome back to One on One, the podcast where the Premier League's biggest names come in for a chat. I'm Joe Tomlinson. Remember on the last podcast, I said I wouldn't speak to you again for a couple of weeks unless we had some news. Well, we have some news because on the last day of 2025, I went to see Callum Wilson at the West Ham United training ground. And we had an absolutely delightful chat. But as Sky Sports News reported, it seems that Callum won't be hanging around at the Hammers for very long, as the club looked towards their fight to stay in the Premier League. Wilson only joined West Ham from Newcastle in the summer.

1:11Before the Magpies, he made a name for himself, banging them in for Bournemouth when he won the championship and worked under the brilliant Eddie Howe. Working backwards for his football timeline, Bournemouth had picked the striker up from his hometown club of Coventry City, which included a couple of non-league loans. but it was Callum's early career that I wanted to talk to him about most because unlike a lot of professional footballers these days he was actually playing grassroots football until his late teens. So this is a proper, proper footballing journey from Sunday League to League One onto the Championship and the Premier League and even a World Cup with England.

1:44Truly fairytale stuff. So as he seemingly prepares to embark on the next phase of his remarkable career and with one eye still on another World Cup this summer this is my one-on-one with Callum Wilson.

2:07cal thank you very much for joining me today i really want to touch on your career because it's really interesting the grassroots journey to where you are today not every player in the premier league has a journey like yours so let's touch on your youth career to start with because it was different to many players wasn't it there was a lot of grassroots in there it was i was in grassroots until 15 years old and then that's when I decided I was almost leaving school and I needed to actually pull my finger out so to speak so I had to get into an academy of some sort I went on trial at West Brom they said no I went on trial at Nottingham Forest they said no then it said say no they said you know yeah we've got a striker already and we don't really see that you're better than them so we're just going to stick with what we've got and then I had a trial game for Coventry where I scored a hat-trick and then the rest is history what is it like when you're that age and clubs are saying no to you because it happens a lot loads of footballers experience it but then to drop out the system as well and go grassroots Sunday league for a little bit that's very different no it is and I think it's about your mentality in that instance and how you deal with the setback you can either use that as fuel and think right okay my next move I'm gonna improve and show them you know all my qualities and what I can bring or you can go the other way and fold and I think for me that was never an option so it was about making it of some sort and not giving up.

3:26So you were playing Sunday League at that time as well, weren't you, a little bit? Yeah. What was that like, that experience for you? Because you must have been banging them in, man. You must have been playing so many games. I was getting a few. I think I ended up probably about 60 goals in the season, which is, you know, messy standards, that sort of sort of that. But I think, yeah, for me, that was, it was a weird one because it was giving confidence, you know, so to speak. Even though it was against players, you know, in the grassroots set-up, when I was going on trial, I was full of confidence there.

3:53So I was going in front of goal, scoring my chances. They were trying my right wing, number 10, number nine, all these different positions. But I had a bit of speed, you know, so it's still there as well. So I think, yeah, I always found the back of the net. And I think that's, you know, sometimes people now are like, oh, you're always in the right place at the right time. I think having grassroots for so long and the ball bouncing off of bubbly pitches and hitting off the posts and you just pick up positions. and now it's just so natural to me, you know, oh, the ball's going to land here. You end up putting it back in the net.

4:27Where were you playing Sunday, were you at the top? Were you just playing centre mid and just dribbling in the back? In early years, I was playing in centre midfield because the players at the back couldn't get the ball to me. So it was about getting off the bat and taking it to the front. Whereas as I started to go on to 11 a side and we started having players that could play a little bit in the middle, I was playing up front and it was just balls in behind and then it was just 1v1s, dance around the goalie and then, yeah, scoring the goalie. Getting clattered? Yeah, from time to time, but that's, you know, it builds that kind of robustness for you, yeah.

4:58Yeah, do you think as well, because obviously you had two loan spells away, do you think your experience at Grassroots, you were like, okay, I know what that was like, I want to test myself at different levels in my journey up through the game? Definitely, I think I probably didn't learn a lot from the football side of things, actually, on the pitch, just because I was playing on right wing, you know, of course he was getting clattered left, right and centre by big, you know, centre halves and left backs and stuff but it was more about off the field and how guys were turning up to their games in work overalls and I never visualised football in that way and never thought that I'd have to turn up to a match in a work van with paint all over me and I didn't see myself as that so it was about working hard and thinking okay that's you know that is football of some sort yeah but it's not where I want to be at so it was about pushing on then.

5:46So what was it like in those dressing rooms when you know lads are turning up from their day jobs having to play and working hard must have been a different experience what you're used to it was because winning games was like the main thing the utmost importance of you know it wasn't just about the points it was about their salaries at the end of the day and they get paid the more that we win and things like that um we have luxuries now in the premier league yeah you take for granted just having a kit laid out with socks without hosing and things you know so it was appreciating the little things and I think that's why you know for me I've remained so humble throughout my career because I've seen that that is what could happen and also I'm grateful for where I am at the moment yeah obviously you come back then don't you really really good experience in League One yeah do you think the game has changed at that lower league level because I feel like Pep Guardiola's influence like seeped down a little bit teams are playing out from the back compared to maybe when you were they are they are and I think also it's the physicality now players are a lot fitter in the lower leagues because one they strive to become better but two there's more education on nutrition and things like that and longevity in the game so I feel that there's definitely an emphasis on that in the lower leagues and it's filtering down from the top and yeah it is improving all through the footballing pyramid and I think there were centre halves at that time that couldn't really turn and couldn't really run so when I was you know 19-20 and I was flying around the place, balls in behind.

7:13We had patterns of play that would benefit in me really. And it was about just being clinical. And I had such a single-minded focus that nothing was going to get in the way. And thankfully it didn't. Obviously, we've seen quite a few players, aren't we now, that are coming through the leagues and really like being blockbuster in the Premier League. I'm thinking immediately springs to my head Antoine Semenyo this season, who's just on a totally different level. And he was obviously playing in the lower leagues, had an interesting career, a little bit like yours as well, he's at Bath City at times.

7:40Do you think you're going to see more of that? Players coming from the Championship, from League One and really exploding in the Premier League? Hopefully, because, you know, of course, it's nice to see in the Premier League players coming from international, overseas and things like that. But it's also nice to see stories similar to myself, similar to Semenyo, where you've had to graft hard and, you know, you've not had the easy route. And then to actually make it, you know, to the top and then play there and have an impact on that level is difficult so I think it's actually goes you know in the rated uh what players are doing like himself like myself like other players like Vardy and things like that when you actually get to the top you know it's sometimes it's easy you might get there in a route of promotion or you might get signed by a big club but actually having a career there and you know he's on the verge of having a big move potentially so things like that is um yeah it's definitely in the rated I think let's talk a little bit about your route then obviously go to Bournemouth what's your recollection of being signed by Bournemouth?

8:37Is that like a standout in your mind as a moment in your career? Because I think for me, it was the next step. It was not jumping straight to the Premier League. Of course, that was my goal and ambition. But it was like, right, for my development, it's good to play in the championship now. Went and met with Norwich. Went and met with Bournemouth and met the both managers. And then Eddie kind of sold it to me. I could see myself progressing with them and their kind of ambition aligned with mine, which was get to the Premier League within two years. And I felt, you know, OK, I'm going to play here.

9:11We've got a potential. We've got a good team. And, you know, Bournemouth had never been in the Premier League. So it was obviously a gamble at the time. But I felt that I was in the right environment to flourish. And, yeah, it was becoming a man for my boy. So I think going from Coventry to youth team, you go and sign for a club that's a record fee at the time, you feel like the man, you know. Fraser, Wilson in the middle. It's Fraser, it's Wilson. Popped in by Callum Wilson. Yeah, what was that journey like, I suppose, because it must have been a big transition. You mentioned it there, going to the Championship.

9:47It was honestly, you had an amazing season, first season. Was you immediately natural in that environment or did it take some getting used to being that sort of main man up front for Bournemouth? No, I enjoyed the pressure. I think I thrived off that, to be honest. And for me, yeah, I was playing week in, week out. I scored on my debut. I've scored two on my debut, actually. I missed the penalty for my hat-trick. It's one of the only pens I've missed, I think. So, yeah, for me, I just felt that it was just an easy transition. The pitch is the same size. It's the same colour. The goals are the same.

10:19So it's however you perceive it to be. And I just perceived it to be, you know, the same as the previous season where I'd scored 23, 24 goals. I thought I'm doing the same again this year. And I think I did, yeah. So, obviously, you've now gone all the way from grassroots Sunday league. You're in the Premier League. How big is that jump between those two divisions? We hear people talk about it all the time, but you've experienced all the way from Sunday League, League One, Championship. And how big is that jump? Again, it's however you perceive it to be. I think we played our first Premier League game.

10:48I made my debut. And you get swept away with the whole persona of the Premier League. You're walking out, the match ball, the fire, the match of the day highlights, and all this kind of stuff that I've seen over the years. and I feel like that game was a blur, to be honest, and then I think six games in, I had five goals, so it just kind of, you know, like I say, it was like, actually, once you'd scored one, it was like, you know, I can do it, I've got that out of the way, and then you just flow then. Unfortunately, I had a few setbacks along the way, but yeah, for me, I love the Premier League, you know, I just, yeah, you want to continue playing forever, everything that comes with it is amazing, and yeah, just you're living a childhood dream, I guess.

11:30Do you remember the first time you were on match of the day? Did you go home and you were like recording? Yeah, of course. I think I still have it on the box somewhere. But yeah, you know, people like Alan Shearer speaking about you, Ian Wright speaking about you, analysing your goals and performances. And I remember Theo Walcott, we played a game against each other at some point. And he was like, oh, I remember when, you know, you just come onto the scene. I thought, who's this kid scored a hat-trick, you know, in one of the, it's against West Ham, unfortunately. But yeah, I think those kind of moments stand out, especially players that you've seen growing up.

12:05And then obviously having conversations and playing against, yeah. And obviously you keep on rising all the way to a World Cup spot. Let's just reminisce on that quickly because England were fantastic at that tournament, 2022. What's your memory of that camp? Because it was slightly different in that everybody was based in a very small centre of football where you could go game to game. What was it like from your perspective? It was an amazing experience. something that you'll obviously treasure for life. And I feel that with a World Cup around the corner, of course, you've got the previous experience.

12:35So you're like, oh, I want that again. Everything that comes with it, really, you know, the football, the stadiums, the fans, the whole environment and atmosphere around a World Cup tournament. The camp was amazing. Everyone got along really well. We used to play Wolf every night. Did you? Yeah, things like that. I think Robbie Williams was playing Wolf with us one night. So things like that are just like surreal experiences, you know. So you go from a boy from Coventry, you're playing Wolf with Robbie Williams. It's like, what the hell? So I think, yeah, obviously it brings amazing opportunities.

13:06And first and foremost, the football was amazing to step onto the field. And I think I got an assist in my first game. Probably should have shot myself. But Jack will thank me forever. So, you know, I've got a friend for life in Jack now with that. I feel, yeah, it was an amazing experience. And like I say, yeah, one that I'll never forget. Obviously, Gareth was a big part of that as well. You know, he's not in football at the moment. What was he like as a coach? Yeah, he was good. He was probably more of a manager than a coach. Steve Holland took a lot of the sessions. But Gareth was there, always watching, always analysing.

13:38And I feel that when he was performing, you'd get your opportunity. And that's as a player, that's all you want. If you're training well and when you get put on the pitch, you're performing well, that's all that you expect really is to continue that run and get you just rewards. And I feel like he'd give people that. I'm grateful, obviously he gave me my debut for England. Yeah, I'm grateful for that also. And obviously you're working with Harry Kane a lot, who was then, still is now, maybe one of, if not the best striker in the world. Would you have him up there, you think, maybe best striker in the world at the moment?

14:10Yeah, in terms of his finishing, unbelievable. And the numbers that he's putting up at the moment, you have to put him in that category as he's gone to Germany, flourishing in that environment. And yeah, it's probably, I'd say, one of the best finishers that I've actually trained with. Really? Not so much just right foot, but left foot, right foot, even in training, you know, sometimes in training I'll be lapsed a daisy, you'll mess around, you'll have a bit of banter, but he was fully focused and I think that was something that I then took on board and I learned something from him, you know, it's not just about your right foot, but also make sure you're working on your left and you're treating it like a match day.

14:45Obviously, the World Cup is only six months away now. Behind Harry, I think you've got Harry, haven't you, as like the guy, captain, England's number nine but then there is that room isn't there? Do you still think you're in that conversation? You want to be in there? I feel there's an opportunity there. I think you've got Oli who's doing well

15:06Dominic Pavlik-Lewin who's doing well. You've got strikers there that obviously are putting their best foot forward but there's still plenty of football to be played there's no point peaking too soon guys so I'll be come March I'll be here in some form for sure but I think for me you just focus on myself obviously I've been to a World Cup before where there was very good competition before that I think Ivan Tony just missed out for myself and he'll also be thinking that he wants to go so I think it's about focusing on me and then beyond that of course it's an ambition of mine for sure and obviously final one then if you were talking to some Sunday League youngsters now that are thinking looking at your journey through the leagues and looking at others' journeys through the leagues, what would be your sort of message to 14, 15-year-olds that are still playing Sunday League and think maybe one day I want that rise from Sunday League to the England squad?

15:57I think, you know, I can run, you can run, we can both kick balls. I can't run. Depends, depends. But, you know, everybody has the similar attributes nowadays and then what's going to set you apart from the rest of the people that are trying to achieve what you're wanting to achieve and sometimes that's in the mind and how you deal with setbacks and also what you're doing in your spare time, extra percentages, you've got to always be working hard. And I feel that, yeah, I'm sitting here because hard work has got me here. And it is a bit of a cliche sometimes, but I feel that, yeah, I sacrificed so much in that instance.

16:32And other people did, but I probably wanted it just a little bit more. So it's having all that combination together. And I think hopefully, you know, they'll be sitting here one day. Yeah, love that. No worries. Pleasure. Really interesting and honest stuff from Callum there. and a real inspiration to anyone listening to keep believing and keep battling for your dream, even if you're playing Sunday League. I loved hearing him discuss this Premier League debut, even if he couldn't remember very much about it. And great to hear he still has World Cup ambitions, even if there's some doubt about where he'll be playing his football come the end of the January transfer window.

17:09Me and Jules will be back with another one-on-one very soon. So if you don't already, make sure you give this show a follow on your podcast platform of choice so you never miss out. That way, all new episodes will drop straight into your inbox. It's that simple. Thanks very much for listening, everybody, and we'll speak to you again soon.

17:28Hi, everyone. Tom White here. Welcome to Sky Sports FC, the place to have your say on the biggest football stories. Join me and the very best Premier League pundits Monday to Friday, 10 till 12, on Sky Sports News or listen on our brand new podcast, which drops as soon as we come off air. On the pod, you can expect hot takes, fierce debate and some more of your messages. Just search for Sky Sports FC wherever you get your podcasts. Give us a like, follow or subscribe. That's Sky Sports FC, a Sky Sports podcast.