THERE have been plenty of changes at Oxford United since they visited Fratton Park last season, but few players have undergone a more dramatic change of status in the 18-month gap than Callum O’Dowda.

In August 2013, he was an unproven youngster who travelled with the squad, before watching the 4-1 win from the stands.

While he was unknown then, this time the Kidlington teenager will be a marked man after becoming one of the success stories in United’s otherwise frustrating campaign.

“I’m a lot more comfortable in the games now,” O’Dowda said.

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“It’s not just coming on the scene as a youngster.

“I want to make as much of an impact on the game as I can.

“Hopefully I’m doing that and I can do it for the rest of the season.

“I want to show I can help the team by getting goals and assists.

“When I got my first goal at Exeter, from then on my confidence has gone through the roof.”

O’Dowda is something all clubs crave – a homegrown youth system graduate making a mark in the men’s game.

He has spent almost two-thirds of his young life at United and does not look in a hurry to leave after signing a three-year contract this week.

Chris Wilder, Mickey Lewis and Gary Waddock all picked O’Dowda during their respective spells in charge last season.

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  • Callum O’Dowda (right) during pre-season training in 2010

But it is in this campaign, under Michael Appleton, where something has clicked.

During a long list of people the left-winger made sure to thank after putting pen to paper, he was quick to acknowledge the supporters.

“The fans have been brilliant to me ever since I made my debut ,” he said.

“I used to be a season ticket holder with my dad, so for them to now be singing my name is a bit weird.”

Appleton has picked him 31 times this season and while the ink still dried on the new contract the head coach predicted O’Dowda had what it takes to play a couple of levels higher.

His predecessor Gary Waddock, now on the coaching staff at Portsmouth, was equally complimentary this week.

He said: “Callum’s an outstanding talent and I was lucky to work with him and put him in the team on a few occasions.

“I know the ability the lad’s got, I just hope he has a bad day on Saturday.”

As for O’Dowda, he is already focused on the next challenge.

He said: “You want to keep moving on and I want to get more goals and assists to help out the team move up the table.”

  • CALLUM O’Dowda’s path to professional football began when he was six years old.

Spotted playing in a park, he was invited to Kidlington Youth by Colin Anderson.

A year later he attended trials at Oxford United, where he joined the under nines.

It was an easy decision according to Les Taylor, now United’s academy manager.

He said: “When you look at anyone that age you just look at their technical ability.

“Callum just stood out and reminds me a lot of Jamie Brooks with his turn of pace.”

But it was never a foregone conclusion O’Dowda would make it.

Taylor said: “When he was 16 we had to make scholarship decisions.

“It was difficult because he hadn’t really developed physically, but we took a bit of a gamble and he wasn’t fazed by that physical contact.

“This contract is a reward for all the coaches he’s worked with at the club.”