Harper Sercombe
Hume City’s marquee signing of the National Premier League off-season has finally touched down at ABD Stadium.
In September, Hume announced the signing of Welsh winger Lloyd Isgrove for the 2024 season.
The 30-year-old joins the club after a decade playing in England for the likes of Southampton, Peterborough, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Swindon Town and most recently, Bolton Wanderers, who released him at the end of last season.
Isgrove got his first taste of professional soccer when with Southampton’s academy and he went on to make one English Premier League appearance during his spell with the Saints, coming in a loss to Liverpool in 2014 at Anfield.
Now, Isgrove said he is excited to show off his talents for Hume.
“I’ve settled in really nicely, apart from the jetlag that kept me up for the first four or five days,” he said.
“I’m getting into the rhythm now which is nice, it’s nice to be here now.
“Speaking to Cam (Watson, Hume coach) from the start he said it’s going to be an adaptation for me but I’ve taken to it well and I sort of knew what I was coming into.
“It’s obviously different, playing pro for 12 years in England but it’s something I’m really looking forward to and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
His experience at the professional level that can be shared with his teammates is set to benefit not just 2024’s results for Hume but its younger players and results in the years to come.
“I think I’m actually the oldest in the squad which is crazy, I’ve never been that before,” he said. “I’m hoping that with my experience and playing in England, I can pass stuff on to the younger lads and help them out and give them some exposure that they may not have had before.
“I’m looking to settle in properly and gel with them, they’ve all been really nice and helpful so it’s been really nice of them.
“I feel good, I feel fit, I look after myself so I’ve got plenty more to give, this wasn’t an end of career thing.
I’ve still got loads to give to the game and I’ve always wanted to play abroad so when I was speaking with Cam I just thought this was the right place for me and so far it’s working out that way.”
Hume wasn’t the only club on Isgrove’s radar when he was seeking a move out of his homeland, he said he also made contact with other clubs in the area.
He wanted to see if there was any opportunity for him to come and play in Australia.
“Cam was the first one I spoke to many months ago now and as soon as I started speaking to him he was selling me the club and how they work and the ins and outs,” he said.
“It’s a big move overseas, far from family so we’ll just see how it goes. But I’m a person who likes my own company and I can get on with things and get into a routine.”
Last season Hume 10th with seven wins, seven draws and 12 losses, which is something that Isgrove is determined to build upon.
“We want to be as high as we possibly can and we’ve definitely got the players here to do that and hopefully I can help with that as well,” he said.
“Personally just to help the team as much as I can, score goals, assists. I’m just enjoying doing what I love, I’m really looking forward to it, really excited and we’re only one pre-season game in and I can’t wait for February.”
