Everton academy goalkeeper Douglass Lukjanciks has embraced his loan move to National League North side Southport, rejecting the notion that playing non-league football is a step down. The 18-year-old has spent the opening three weeks of his temporary stay in the sixth tier of English football, trading Premier League Under-21s travels for trips across the division with his hometown club.
A new challenge rather than a step down
Lukjanciks, who was born in Southport and attended Stanley High school, three miles from Haig Avenue, views the move as an opportunity. He said: "I'd highly recommend it. When I was told I was coming here, I didn’t see it as a step down. It’s a new challenge, and one I can take on."
He added: "Lads seeing non-league as a step down is the wrong mindset, wrong mentality because you should be able to play whatever, non-league, Football League or Premier League, it shouldn’t really matter. I think if you can play, you can play in any league."
The loan, which runs until January at least unless a recall option is exercised, gives Lukjanciks his first taste of men's senior football. It follows a path trodden by Everton No.1 Jordan Pickford, who spent time at Darlington and Alfreton Town before moving into the Football League.
Highs and lows of non-league football
Lukjanciks was handed his debut in a dramatic 2-1 win over Morecambe, coming days after former manager Neil Danns resigned. Southport led through an Adam Moseley goal after 25 minutes, and despite a Morecambe bombardment and adverse weather, the visitors clawed a goal back nine minutes from time. One fan ran onto the pitch and hauled the teenager's water bottle over the away stand, but Daniel Ugwuru raced down the other end three minutes later to secure the win.
The teenager has since faced burly strikers and experienced defenders, including a trip to Worksop Town's artificial pitch. On Saturday, Southport squandered a two-goal lead against Spennymoor Town. Lukjanciks made a good diving save from Rob Ramshaw after Glen Taylor rattled the crossbar, but could do nothing about Taylor's left-footed strike off the inside of the post. Taylor also beat him from the penalty spot in stoppage time, despite the youngster guessing the right way.
Development path with notable alumni
Everton are monitoring Lukjanciks' progress closely, having shifted their approach in recent seasons to allow academy players to go out on loan to lower league clubs. Two goalkeepers he shares a dressing room with at Finch Farm played in the same division last season: George Pickford was on a short-term loan at Southport, while Fraser Barnsley spent the season at local rivals Marine.
David Raya's short-term loan with Southport frequently hits the headlines, illustrating his rise from non-league to becoming a World Cup and Premier League-winning goalkeeper. Max Crocombe, a 33-year-old New Zealand international who represented his country at last summer's World Cup, also honed his trade at Haig Avenue on loan from Oxford United before a career in the Football League.
Lukjanciks has been told of the path he could tread, with Southport wearing Raya's stint as a badge of honour. He said: "It's all I've heard since I've been here, 'we make Champions League goalkeepers'. It's something to aspire to be like, big shoes to fill but I think I'm more than capable."
