Sports Direct Premiership: Cliftonville v Linfield (tonight, 7.45pm, live on BBC iPlayer)
ALL new signings at a club want to “hit the ground running”, as the saying goes.
Well, Ben Wilson has taken that to a whole new level since joining Cliftonville from Brighton in the summer.
Fourteen goals in 14 games, including 12 in the league, has put the Derry native head and shoulders above the competition in the goalscoring charts and he will be desperate to add to this tally in tonight’s Sports Direct Premiership clash with leaders Linfield.
“I always want to score goals,” said Wilson.
“Friday night is no different, it will be a big challenge against Linfield, probably the biggest of the season so far, but one I’m looking forward to.”
Talking to Wilson, it’s quite hard to fathom that you are in fact talking to a 21-year-old. He has a shrewdness and calmness that belies his limited years.
The Derry boy began his journey close to home and credits those days with forming the man he has become. “Starting out playing for local club Oxford really got me into football from the age of four,” he said.
“It fed a passion in me and all I wanted to do was play football.
“From there I joined the Coleraine Academy at 13 or 14 and that’s where things accelerated pretty quickly in my career.” He’s not exaggerating.
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At the tender age of 15, Wilson became the Bannsiders’ youngest ever scorer with a goal in the North-West Cup against Moyola Park. This was to be a sign of things to come.
“Training with Coleraine senior squad made me mature pretty quickly,” he accepts.
“I think it benefitted me playing underage football for Northern Ireland in the Victory Shield and that’s when a few scouts became interested.
“Brighton were the only side I was ever going to choose. They were just so welcoming. I went over at 16 and fitted right in with some great guys and went on a journey of becoming a professional.”
However, what started as a dream didn’t quite reach the heights of Wilson’s expectations.
Injuries plagued his final 18 months and although he excelled in the U23 ranks, he was left frustrated by seeing his team-mates make the leap to the first team squad.
He was eventually released and came home to train with Derry City under Ruaidhrí Higgins.
“Ruaidhri helped me out as I knew him from Coleraine and then another man from my past came along,” said Wilson.
“I’ve known Jim [Magilton]) from the underage international days and in fairness to him he took a gamble by calling me up and inviting me to join Cliftonville.”
What has followed has been a whirlwind of goals, hat-tricks and braces included, as defenders struggle to deal with the movement of Solitude’s favourite new son.
It would be crude to think this comes easy, though, as Wilson has a work ethic he has carried back from professional football that has impressed the likes of Joe Gormley and Rory Hale.
“If I can bring something to the club then great, I’m also learning all the time from some great players and Jim brings a wealth of experience too.
"I’m just enjoying my football at the minute and that shows in my performances.”
Having lost 2-1 early in the season, Cliftonville will be out for revenge tonight as the top two sides in the local game go head-to-head.
With Linfield five points clear of the Reds, an away win for David Healy’s side would see a significant gap emerge at the top of the table, but a home win would mean all bets are off as clubs complete the first third of the campaign.
For Wilson, he will be concentrating on what he can do rather than the opposition.
“Of course, we will respect Linfield, they have earned their position so far. But likewise, we have threats all over the pitch and our defence has been excellent, I think it’s the game fans have been waiting for.”