Joel Anker and Charlie Waller both shared their thoughts with iFollow MK Dons after they had signed their first senior career professional terms at Stadium MK.
The young Dons duo had both progressed through MK Dons’ academy before signing their first senior contract with the club. The former scholars impressed during their two-year stint with the Under-18s, which has rewarded them both with an opportunity to showcase their ability within the First Team set-up.
Charlie Waller, who captained the Under-18s on numerous occasions from the centre-half role said, “It’s an amazing feeling, I’ve been buzzing from the moment I was told about the deal.” When asked about putting pen to paper at Stadium MK.
Joel Anker, who fulfils an attacking role further up the field, reiterated the elation in signing his first professional contract. He had this to say, “I’m extremely proud and grateful to everyone.”
Both Anker and Waller had great gratitude to all the people who supported them along their journey, both youngsters expressed their appreciation “I can only say thank you to so many people. My family and all the academy staff in particular. There are so many that if I were to name them all, we would be here forever!
“Also, a massive thank you to the club too for putting their faith in me and offering me this deal” Charlie Waller said.
Joel Anker furthered the praise to those around him, the forward added “Thank you to the club, the coaches, the assistant coaches, and all the background staff, who helped me along the way. My teammates, my family, my agent, all these people have helped me get to this point and I’m extremely grateful.”
Before their integration into the First Team, the young Dons duo experienced their first steps within senior football whilst on loan to AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Tring Athletic within the recently concluded 2022/23 campaign. When questioned about the benefits of those opportunities, attacker Anker had this to say “At first it was tough, it was very different.
“It was a completely different environment, with different players, different styles of play, but the main thing I learnt from that experience was how I can adapt.
“Towards the end, I quite enjoyed it. I felt very comfortable the more I experienced it, and I enjoyed playing Men’s football, I think that’s something that the club recognised and it’s probably one reason why I’m here today. I’m really happy with how it played out.”
Centre-back Waller was asked a similar question about his personal loan experiences, he replied “Senior football is something different, but something I needed for my development.
“It was a brilliant experience for me, and I can only say thank you to both AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Tring Athletic for giving me those opportunities because it has only made me a better player.”
Joel and Charlie have progressed alongside one another throughout their journey within the academy. They had both took to the field multiple times together before they embarked in their next step and signed their first professional deal with MK Dons.
Here’s what both players had to say about one another on their similar journeys to reach the point in starting their senior careers:
Charlie Waller – “Joel (Anker) is a great character – I love being with him. We’ve basically followed each other since day one and he’s a great player so he deserves it.”
Joel Anker – “I’m very happy for Charlie, obviously we were on loan together at Tring and Rushden & Diamonds, as well as in the Under-18s together. We managed to be successful within those loan spells so I’m very excited for the future.”
Finally, in their interviews following the signing of a pro contract, both Charlie and Joel were questioned about what they want to achieve as they look ahead. Waller commented “Hopefully, I can help get this club back to where it belongs.
“I want to get playing on the pitch, it will probably take some time to get into the team, but anything I can do to help this club.”
Anker also highlighted his aspirations, he said “I’ll do what’s required of me, whether that be fighting to get into the first team or going on loan, I’ll just do my best and have a good attitude whilst learning and soaking in as much as I can.”
Both Joel Anker and Charlie Waller's thoughts can be viewed in full through their interviews which can be found within the links below:
Joel Anker post-pro contract interview
Charlie Waller post-pro contract interview
