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Once a Stone, Always a Stone! 
Luke O'Nien...
EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream.
Not because I didn’t want it.
Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible.
What kid would?
Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game.
What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone?
I was heartbroken.
My dad looked at me and said:
“What are we doing tomorrow?”
To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:
“We’re training, Dad.”
So we trained.
Every single day.
My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity.
One club replied.
One.
That was all I needed.
An opportunity.
@WealdstoneFC and @wwfcofficial , I’ll always be indebted to you.
Then came the move to @SunderlandAFC .
A massive club.
A massive opportunity.
And I couldn’t wait to prove myself.
But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.
“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”
Then came the Championship.
“He’s not good enough for this level.”
Then the Premier League.
“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”
I understood the doubt.
I’ve faced it my whole career.
And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times.
But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:
Outwork your doubt.
You don’t always need to see the full journey.
You just need to take the next step.
Then the next one.
And then another.
Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough.
Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing.
Keep working.
Keep learning.
Keep showing up.
Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined.
To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early.
You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you.
And to the boys… thank you.
You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself.
What a team.
What a club.
What a fanbase.
Sunderland… rocking all over Europe
And in the words of Granit Xhaka:
“This is just the beginning.”
View: https://x.com/i/status/2059003808504598569
Luke O'Nien...
EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream.
Not because I didn’t want it.
Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible.
What kid would?
Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game.
What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone?
I was heartbroken.
My dad looked at me and said:
“What are we doing tomorrow?”
To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:
“We’re training, Dad.”
So we trained.
Every single day.
My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity.
One club replied.
One.
That was all I needed.
An opportunity.
@WealdstoneFC and @wwfcofficial , I’ll always be indebted to you.
Then came the move to @SunderlandAFC .
A massive club.
A massive opportunity.
And I couldn’t wait to prove myself.
But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.
“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”
Then came the Championship.
“He’s not good enough for this level.”
Then the Premier League.
“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”
I understood the doubt.
I’ve faced it my whole career.
And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times.
But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:
Outwork your doubt.
You don’t always need to see the full journey.
You just need to take the next step.
Then the next one.
And then another.
Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough.
Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing.
Keep working.
Keep learning.
Keep showing up.
Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined.
To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early.
You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you.
And to the boys… thank you.
You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself.
What a team.
What a club.
What a fanbase.
Sunderland… rocking all over Europe
And in the words of Granit Xhaka:
“This is just the beginning.”
View: https://x.com/i/status/2059003808504598569
Wealdstone are looking for their first ever CEO, big things ahead for the club!!
This is a landmark appointment in the club's history and comes at an exciting time for Wealdstone as we pursue our long term ambition of building a sustainable football club who could reach the Football League.
Following significant new investment, our recent appearance at Wembley Stadium in the Isuzu FA Trophy Final, the securing of a new lease at Grosvenor Vale and plans for a future new stadium, the club is entering a transformative period of growth both on and off the pitch.
The successful candidate will lead all commercial, operational, financial and strategic aspects of the club, working closely with ownership and the Board to help shape the next chapter of Wealdstone FC's journey.
We are seeking an ambitious and entrepreneurial leader who can drive revenue growth, strengthen operations, enhance supporter engagement and help position Wealdstone as one of the most progressive clubs outside the Football League.
This role represents one of the most exciting CEO development opportunities in English football and is ideal for a senior football executive ready to take full responsibility for leading a football club for the first time.
The full job description can be viewed below
www.wealdstone-fc.com
Stones launch search for a CEO
Wealdstone Football Club is delighted to announce the launch of its search for the club's new CEO.This is a landmark appointment in the club's history and comes at an exciting time for Wealdstone as we pursue our long term ambition of building a sustainable football club who could reach the Football League.
Following significant new investment, our recent appearance at Wembley Stadium in the Isuzu FA Trophy Final, the securing of a new lease at Grosvenor Vale and plans for a future new stadium, the club is entering a transformative period of growth both on and off the pitch.
The successful candidate will lead all commercial, operational, financial and strategic aspects of the club, working closely with ownership and the Board to help shape the next chapter of Wealdstone FC's journey.
We are seeking an ambitious and entrepreneurial leader who can drive revenue growth, strengthen operations, enhance supporter engagement and help position Wealdstone as one of the most progressive clubs outside the Football League.
This role represents one of the most exciting CEO development opportunities in English football and is ideal for a senior football executive ready to take full responsibility for leading a football club for the first time.
The full job description can be viewed below
Stones launch search for a CEO
Wealdstone Football Club is delighted to announce the launch of its search for the club's new CEO. This is a landmark appointment in the club's history and comes at an exciting time for Wealdstone as we pursue our long term ambition of building a sustainable football club who could reach the...
www.wealdstone-fc.com
In the next couple of seasons or so, you could be in the league! Maybe in a year from now!Wealdstone are looking for their first ever CEO, big things ahead for the club!!
Stones launch search for a CEO
Wealdstone Football Club is delighted to announce the launch of its search for the club's new CEO.
This is a landmark appointment in the club's history and comes at an exciting time for Wealdstone as we pursue our long term ambition of building a sustainable football club who could reach the Football League.
Following significant new investment, our recent appearance at Wembley Stadium in the Isuzu FA Trophy Final, the securing of a new lease at Grosvenor Vale and plans for a future new stadium, the club is entering a transformative period of growth both on and off the pitch.
The successful candidate will lead all commercial, operational, financial and strategic aspects of the club, working closely with ownership and the Board to help shape the next chapter of Wealdstone FC's journey.
We are seeking an ambitious and entrepreneurial leader who can drive revenue growth, strengthen operations, enhance supporter engagement and help position Wealdstone as one of the most progressive clubs outside the Football League.
This role represents one of the most exciting CEO development opportunities in English football and is ideal for a senior football executive ready to take full responsibility for leading a football club for the first time.
The full job description can be viewed below
Stones launch search for a CEO
Wealdstone Football Club is delighted to announce the launch of its search for the club's new CEO. This is a landmark appointment in the club's history and comes at an exciting time for Wealdstone as we pursue our long term ambition of building a sustainable football club who could reach the...
Exciting times!