CHARLTON legend Kevin Lisbie shall be a proud man when his son Kyrell traces up at The Valley for Cray Valley Paper Mills on Sunday.
The winger, 19, has netted seven targets to date within the FA Cup because the Isthmian League South East membership battled via EIGHT matches to arrange this first-round conflict.
Charlton legend Kevin Lisbie will see son Kyrell play in opposition to the Addicks this weekend
Lisbie Sr throughout his Charlton Athletic taking part in days
And the tiny eighth-tier facet — three miles down the street from their illustrious neighbours — was one in all his dad’s final golf equipment earlier than he hung up his boots.
Kevin is finest identified for his 11 years as a professional at Charlton — which included eight within the Premier League. In whole, he scored 19 targets in 176 appearances for the Addicks between 1996 and 2007 earlier than happening to play for Colchester, Millwall, Ipswich, Leyton Orient and Barnet amongst others.
He informed SunSport: “I’m so pleased with the journey Kyrell has been on at Cray. His performances and targets have performed a serious half in getting them this incredible tie in opposition to Charlton.”
And Kevin, 45, who usually does media work for the Addicks, will put household first when it comes to his loyalties.
He mentioned: “I’ll be supporting my son. Hopefully he can carry out and rating — and the outcome will type itself out between two golf equipment I really like.”
Kyrell is just too younger to recollect his dad taking part in within the high flight throughout Charlton’s golden years below Alan Curbishley however has watched movies — particularly the well-known hat-trick he scored in a 3-2 win in opposition to Liverpool in 2003.
And when the draw was made, the teenager, who’s taking part in in his first FA Cup marketing campaign, was ecstatic.
He informed me: “I used to be at church on the time. I referred to as my dad simply earlier than and mentioned, ‘Think about Charlton away.’
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Kyrell is following in his dad’s footsteps in soccer
Kyrell (left) and Kyreece Lisbie as mascots at their dad’s different ex-club Colchester
“When it got here to realisation, I used to be screaming, shouting and excited. My feelings had been so excessive as a result of to play at The Valley, the place my dad had so many fantastic years, is a dream come true.”
Kyrell has performed soccer for so long as he can bear in mind along with his twin brother Kyreece, who’s presently on the books at Brentford.
He performed youth soccer for Leyton Orient and West Ham in addition to for faculty and Sunday league groups earlier than becoming a member of Watford — however suffered heartache when the Hornets launched him on the finish of his scholarship.
However reasonably than feeling sorry for himself, the teenager determined to go down the non-league route, taking part in for Woodford City and Welling earlier than pitching up at Cray in the summertime.
Kevin wound down his profession in non-league, plying his commerce for Barnet, Whitehawk, Cray Valley Paper Mills and VCD Athletic.
And the ex-Charlton ace believes younger gamers rejected by professional golf equipment can nonetheless realise their soccer goals by growing as a semi-pro. Actually, taking part in at that stage could be higher than at an academy.
Kevin mentioned: “I’m a agency believer that as quickly as you can begin taking part in males’s soccer the higher it’s on your improvement.
“All of the classes you might have had as a child and managers telling you to do sure issues, it is sensible when you play in opposition to males. You realise you have to be fast on the ball since you’re going to get tackled rapidly and also you’re up in opposition to skilled individuals who have been in positions you’ve been in and perceive the sport.”
Kyreece additionally performed for Cray earlier than being picked up by Brentford and their dad added: “Simply to get that have is so important and it’s helped them each mature when it comes to understanding the sport. Soccer intelligence is extra essential than simply expertise.
“Additionally it retains you grounded. Once I was at Cray, the boys would flip up of their work garments on a Tuesday night time coated in paint or no matter.
Once I was at Cray, boys would flip up of their work garments on a Tuesday night time coated in paint. It makes you’re keen on and recognize the sport.”
KEVIN LISBIE
“It makes you’re keen on and recognize the sport. It’s essential Kyrell understands that with a view to be knowledgeable footballer you should love the sport.”
His son added: “If you’re in academies, it’s friendlies each week right here in non-league you’re combating for 3 factors each recreation. You need to get promoted, you need to do properly.
“Followers are a large half in non-league too — in case you don’t carry out, you get stick. And there’s strain to maintain your shirt so the atmosphere is completely completely different. I’m so happy to be experiencing it.”
Kyrell and Kyreece are large on social medial. Between the pair, they’ve greater than a MILLION followers on TikTok. They use the platform not simply to focus on their highs but in addition their lows.
Rejection is a big factor in soccer and plenty of budding gamers don’t make it to the highest of the sport.
And the Cray striker mentioned: “The principle purpose is to encourage youngsters in my place, older and youthful.
“Soccer isn’t what it all the time appears. There are many rejections. I, specifically, attempt to present the onerous facet of soccer. The work that goes into being a footballer.
Cray Valley play Charlton within the FA Cup first spherical on Sunday
“Me and my brother are very shut. We do every part collectively and have grow to be widespread on the app. However we simply hope to assist others perceive the highs and lows of attempting to make it.”
Virtually 70 folks have purchased tickets to look at Kyrell play with all his household and plenty of pals going to the Valley tonight.
And the teenager believes a fairytale win is feasible in opposition to the League One membership.
He mentioned: “I’ve not watched numerous Charlton however there’s numerous high quality in League One. If you happen to can maintain them quiet for the primary 15 to twenty minutes then you definately by no means know what can occur.
“However it might be nice to present the followers one thing to cheer about and rating at The Valley. That may be the best second of my profession.”
And the way would that make his dad really feel?
He mentioned: “It could be my favourite-ever second watching soccer.”