Lowdon Aims for Success
Summer signing Jordan Lowdon has already established himself as an important part of The Bully Wee squad and, ahead of tomorrow’s Ladbrokes League 2 match at Stirling Albion, he spoke exclusively to the official website.
The left back, 24, has already crammed a lot into his early career. He came through the youth ranks at Celtic before moves to clubs in England, Cyprus, Australia and New Zealand prior to returning to Scotland last season.
“When I left Celtic I was still young and didn’t really know where I was going,” explained the defender. “I had a brief stint down in England, then in Cyprus and then ended up playing two seasons in Australia and New Zealand.
“I loved it out there. There was a good lifestyle, great climate and the way they play football is a slightly different style of game. The coaches at the club I first went to in Australia – Scott McNicol and Warren Moon – had both spent time in Scotland. They were player coaches and knew about me and asked if I wanted to come over and give it a go.
“I was in one of the lower leagues and it maybe wasn’t the greatest, but the team we had was brilliant. I did well and we won everything, so I got a transfer to the New Zealand Premier League. I did well there and got a move back to a team in Melbourne in the Australian Second Division so the standard was good.
“The players were all technically very good. It was a different type of football – everything was on the deck and if you played a channel ball everyone would just give you a funny look, whereas here you might get a clap for it!”
Jordan believes his time ‘Down Under’ helped to improve his game: “I think my game changed a bit. Over there it’s a slightly slower pace and you always look for a pass instead of just playing the ball into space. If you just hit the space over there it is so hot that you can’t expect your team mates to get to the ball, so retention of the ball was a big thing and I think I have kept that with me since coming back.”
Despite enjoying great success during his time on the other side of the world, Lowdon eventually had to return home. He continued:-
“I ran into a visa problem, which got in the way and then I had to come home. When I got back to Scotland I was starting again really because I’d been away and nobody had seen me playing for two years. I was thankful that Arbroath gave me the chance when I got back, but at the end of last season I knew it was time to move on and when I heard Clyde were interested I was itching to join the club.
“Things are really professional here and everyone wants to achieve promotion this season which is great, as I want to achieve things like that in my career.”
Lowdon has already impressed the Clyde faithful with his attacking intent and he believes that it is a key part of his game:-
“As a left-back you obviously are a defender first and foremost, but I feel my main attributes are going forward and I can bring energy and width to the team. I can get up and down on the left hand side to give the team an option going forward as well as doing my bit at the back.
“Everyone that is playing in our midfield is a good player who will give you an option and can protect the ball if you zip it into him. If I’m screaming up and down the left hand side, the boys know I’m there and they can choose whether or not they want to pass to me.”
Jordan concluded with a message for the Clyde support: “The fans always help – particularly at home games if you are under pressure, but also if you are on top of a team it is good to have them backing you.
“We are all buzzing, everybody is focused and everything is so professional; as we all know the gaffer brings that to the club. We are going to be ultra positive and look to achieve something this year.”