From bricklayer to Premier League striker: the resilient rise of Charlie Austin
In short: After being released by Reading at age 15 for being too small, Charlie Austin didn't quit. He spent his days working as a bricklayer and his evenings playing semi-professional football, eventually climbing the ladder to score 18 goals in a single Premier League season.
Charlie Austin's career is a testament to perseverance in professional sports. After being dismissed from Reading's youth academy due to his stature, he navigated the lower tiers of English football. While playing for Poole Town in the Wessex League Premier Division, he maintained a dual life, working as a bricklayer to support himself.
His prolific form at Poole, including a standout 2008–09 season where he scored 46 goals in 46 appearances, caught the attention of scouts. This led to a professional contract with Swindon Town in 2009. Austin quickly proved his worth, becoming a key player for Swindon and eventually moving to Burnley in January 2011, where he became the club's top scorer in his first full season.
Austin's peak years saw him competing at the highest level. During the 2014–15 season, he scored 18 goals for Queens Park Rangers, a feat that earned him a Premier League Player of the Month award and a call-up to the England national team. He later joined Southampton in January 2016, making an immediate impact with a winning goal against Manchester United on his debut.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Austin's journey has faced personal challenges. In 2024, he was diagnosed with combined ADHD, a condition he noted was difficult to manage during his career because appropriate medications were prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. His career has also seen him traverse the globe, including a stint with Brisbane Roar in the A-League.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Charlie Austin
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