AN Irish League veteran at the age of only 22; Watson made his United debut at the age of only 16 years and 89 days!

Born on 8th September, 1985 in Belfast – Albert began his career at St. Andrews Boys Club before being snapped up by Ballymena United manager Kenny Shiels in October 2001, as he tried to rebuild the Braid outfit after relegation.

To the surprise of many Albert was thrust into the spotlight very quickly, making his debut as a virtual unknown against Institute in December 2001. He also had a late goal disallowed in that game in what could have been a dream start for the 16-year-old. Albert was used sporadically during the remainder of the season, but managed to make eleven appearances in during the 2001/02 campaign.

The following season Shiels invested in experience in order to assure promotion back to the top flight. Leaving Watson restricted with his appearances at the Showgrounds. He did however break into the Northern Ireland Under-17 squad, a team managed by his club manager, Shiels.

The biggest point of his career up until this time was in September 2002; when he started the glamour friendly against English Premier League side, Bolton Wanderers. Ballymena valiantly lost 2-0 in front of a capacity crowd at the Showgrounds.

The Whitehead resident made a total of 16 appearances during the 2002/03 season, the majority of those in the cup competitions as the Sky Blues finished runners-up in the First Division – but gained promotion back to the Premier League.

Despite being only 18-years-old, Watson was beginning to establish himself as a first team regular at Warden Street as Ballymena finished sixth in the table and in turn, qualified for Europe for the first time in 15 years. He made 31 appearances during the 2003/04 season, as he formed an excellent partnership with Gordon Simms in the centre of the United defence during the second half of the season.

His form also earned him a call-up to the Northern Ireland Under-19 side for their European qualifiers and also was included in the Northern Ireland Elite squad for the Milk Cup – where the hosts defeated their Brazilian counterparts at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

The following season started in June for Watson, as Ballymena travelled to Denmark to play Odense in the Intertoto Cup - and was, alongside his team-mates, immense in the centre of a three man defence; drawing 0-0. Despite losing the return leg, Albert signed a new two-year contract at the Showgrounds, as proof of Shiels' faith in the young defender - despite signing new captain Gary Smyth from Glentoran. Albert held his place in the first-team making 39 appearances, and excelled in the role of a holding central midfielder during the latter stages of the season. He also scored his first competitive goal in a 4-3 home defeat to Linfield, one of three goals that season.

However the team’s performance wasn’t enough to save Kenny Shiels his job after a Irish Cup semi-final defeat to Larne – and was replaced in the Warden Street hotseat by former Northern Ireland goalkeeper, Tommy Wright. Wright centred his team around talented young players and Watson played a key role during the 2005/06 campaign, making 38 appearances and scoring one goal; also despite only being 20-years-old he had become one of the longest serving players at the Braid. He also picked up a County Antrim Shield runners-up medal after the 2-1 defeat to Linfield at Seaview in February 2006. In May 2006, Roy Millar called Watson up to the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad for a friendly against Scotland – unfortunately Watson was an unused substitute in the 1-0 victory at Drumahoe, but the call-up alone was just reward for an impressive season.

A bigger honour was to be bestowed on Albert a few months later, when after Gary Smyth returned to Glentoran, manager Wright made Albert one of Ballymena United’s youngest ever captains – as he hadn’t even turned 21 yet!