Wiktor Makowski describes 'amazing feeling' after securing move into full-time football

The road to full-time football has been far from easy for forward Wiktor Makowski.

The 23-year-old clinched a move from Slough Town to promotion-chasing Worthing last week which will see him ditch his gruelling day job in the construction industry for his first professional contract in England.

The switch caps a remarkable season for Makowski who joined the Rebels in the summer after two years of blistering goalscoring form at Step 4 side Flackwell Heath.

The jump to the National League South proved to be no obstacle, though, as he netted 19 times in all competitions for the Rebels, including four in the club’s memorable run to the FA Cup second round.

He told the Express: “Going from Step 4 to Step 2, doing great numbers at Step 2 and getting an opportunity to play full-time football - It’s an amazing feeling.”

Makowski has been balancing his part-time career at Slough with a physically demanding day job in the building and construction industry. His move into full-time football on the South coast will now allow him to fully focus on his playing career – wherever that may take him.

Makowski celebrates during his spell at Flackwell Heath. Credit: Glenn Alcock

Makowski added: “Physically working eight hours and being mentally and physically drained and then having to play football, it’s a lot.

“I don’t think enough credit is given to the people that do that because it really is a tough thing to do.

“I’m absolutely buzzing now that I don’t have to work on a building site.”

Makowski has been working closely at Slough alongside assistant first team coach Jefferson Louis, whose career has earned almost legendary status after he represented more than 50 clubs.

What Louis doesn’t know about the art of the forward simply isn’t worth knowing and Makowski credited him for his guidance throughout his stint at Arbour Park.

Makowski said: “There’s so much that goes into it and when you have somebody who understands things and has been there and done it, it becomes easy because all you have to do is listen and put it into your own game.

“I can’t thank him enough, he’s been an amazing coach for me, he’s always believed in me.”

Scott Davies’ new-look Slough endured a tough start to the campaign with injuries and a poor run of results leaving them languishing near the relegation zone heading into the winter months.

But the club’s FA Cup run, which ended in a heartbreaking 3-1 extra-time defeat to Macclesfield, helped galvanise the team and provide memorable moments for the Rebels supporters.

Makowski scored an 86th minute leveller against the Silkmen and came within a whisker of turning home an injury time cross which would have sent the Rebels into the third round for the first time.

The atmosphere in the ground that day is still a memory that will stay with the young forward, though.

“Scoring a penalty in the 86th minute when you’ve got 2,500 people in the stadium, you’ve got TNT recording, that goal and the period from the 85th to the 90th minute was probably the most memorable moment from my time at Slough,” Makowski added.

While Makowski had to wait for his first team debut after serving a suspension at the start of the season, he struck up a relationship with the Rebels supporters from the off.

“As soon as my first game at Eastbourne, they started singing my name and they practically follow us everywhere.

“They’ve been amazing. Even when we lose, they still clap up us.

“They criticise us when we lose, they sing our praises when we win but they always stay loyal.

“That’s all you can really ask from fans.”

Makowski’s attention now turns to helping Worthing chase down league leaders Dorking Wanderers, who currently hold a nine point advantage over the South coast side. Whether promotion comes this season or not, Makowski’s career appears to only be heading in one direction.

He added: “I speak to my Dad often about this (football career) and he always says the sky is the limit.

“I learn very quickly and I listen. The most important thing about football is listening to people who know more than you do.

“I don’t know where the highest level for me is. I’ve never played professionally and this is my first full-time club in England.

“Now I just have to work as hard as possible to get the fans on my side like the Slough fans did.”