Sunday 16th January 2022
JOSHUA OYINSAN has just finished speaking to the press. Dumbarton’s general manager is waiting for him.
“Josh, there are about 12 kids waiting outside for you. One of them says it’s his birthday and he wants your boots.”
It’s not a request the new Sons striker can fulfil straight away, but he hopes to soon.
But whether he can or not, he’s made himself a favourite at the club within the 81 minutes he spent on the pitch against East Fife on Saturday.
After 55 of them, he headed his first goal for the club, having driven for six and a half hours to sign from Eastbourne Borough, and then train, on Thursday.
A long wait for international clearance followed, but it finally came and he was able to help Dumbarton to a priceless victory over the Fifers.
He wasn’t even allowed to walk down the tunnel at the end of the game until he had posed for photographs with some young fans.
It all made all the time behind the wheel – and the fact he’s staying in a hotel until he finds more permanent accommodation – seem worth it.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Joshua said: “When I heard that it was Dumbarton interested in me, I was more open to coming, because the club has a bit of history. Training on Thursday, and the game today, have been great.
“I came up here without knowing where I was going to stay. I’m in a hotel for the next week and then we’ll see what comes after that.
“Joel Nouble (Livingston striker, previously on loan to Arbroath) and I are good friends, and he’s done really well for himself. He came from a similar league and seeing him do it makes others feel they can do it too.
“Right now I’m at Dumbarton, and the aim is to take us as far as we can go for now. I’m really focused on to cement a position in the team.
“It’s important for me to find somewhere I feel at home, and feel loved and appreciated by the fans. I’ve just taken to them straight away and I’d like to think they’ve taken to me as well.”
Joshua has spent most of his career playing non-league football in England, but has gained major exposure in another aspect of the game.
He acts as a body double for Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba in adverts for a leading sportswear company.
Joshua continued: “He’s become a good friend of mine and you never know – he might want to come and see a game!”
Attention now switches to Saturday’s Scottish Cup fourth round tie at home to Dundee, with Sons hoping to cause a shock result.
Joshua’s goal made it six goals in 13 games at senior level in total this season – so how did he end up coming to Scotland?
He added: “It’s not hard. You know the level of competition in Scotland is attractive and any time there us an opportunity to come here, most of us will always look at it.
“I felt it was something I wanted to try and I’m already very glad I did, because it’s definitely been so far, so good.
“I’m definitely pleased with my goal record. I was doing well at Eastbourne but when the opportunity came along to come here it was good for me to get a change. I really couldn’t say no.
“I had a few tweets after I signed saying ‘hat-trick debut on Saturday’ because I recently scored three hat-tricks in one season.
“I tried to get one today – it didn’t happen, but maybe soon.
“Dundee is a game everybody knows will not be easy. No disrespect to East Fife, but it’s not going to be the same test.
“We have to really be at the races and will train hard this week.”