During his two seasons at the JJ Kelly Park-based club, Horton made plenty of lifelong friends and memories.

"Coniston FC was my first club coming back from overseas, they gave me the opportunity to play for them and I will be forever grateful for their trust and belief in me," he said.

"It was an amazing time with many great memories made and good friendships I will keep throughout my footballing career.

"In particular, making the Fraternity Cup final this season is something I'll always remember - we were undefeated and hadn't conceded any goals all tournament.

"If coronavirus didn't stop the competition, I believe we would have won, due to the momentum we would have had going into it."

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Other fond memories for the Nowra Christian School alumnus at Coniston include making the fourth round of the FFA Cup in 2019 (before losing to Manly United on the road) and helping the club get promoted back into the Illawarra Premier League for the first time since 2014.

"It was a massive achievement for the club to get back up into the top flight and to be apart of that for me was really special," he said.

During the 2020 season, Horton helped his Coniston side finish 10th on the Illawarra Premier League table, with two wins, five draws and four losses to their names.

"The 2020 season was a tough one for every person in any sport due to COVID-19 making it the schedule shorter," he said.

"We had a mixed season with some results which should have gone our way but the luck wasn't with us.

"We did have a great run into the end of the year, stringing together three matches without a loss (one win and two draws) against the top three teams in the league.

"We struggled to come back from the break in the season but showed great courage and fight to gain results that no one thought we would have a chance with.

"From a personal perspective, I was happy with my performances this season.

"I always give 100 per cent effort in every game I play and I feel this season, although it was a tough one for our club, we could have beaten anyone on their day.

"I was happy with my performances - I did all the simple aspects correct and made saves that helped our team stay in the matches."

It wasn't just Horton who thought he had a strong campaign, with the 26-year-old recently being named the IPL Goalkeeper of the Year.

"To be named as the best goalkeeper in the whole league is a massive achievement for me," Horton said.

"It is the first time I have won an award for goalkeeping and to have all my hard work recognised with this massive honour, was an amazing feeling.

"It was incredible for me to be recognised, not just for this season but for all the years of hard work, dedication and sacrifices that I have made throughout my career."

This award is a perfect way for Horton to end his time at Coniston after the Shoalhaven product recently announced he had signed with Albion Park for 2021.

"It was a tough decision - I loved my time at Coniston and will always have the highest respect for all they've done for me these past two seasons," Horton, who admits being closer to his home in the Shoalhaven played a role in the decision, said.

"I was approached by several clubs in the Illawarra Premier League and Albion Park was my choice, as they've been watching me for the past two seasons since arriving from overseas.

"Albion Park are a highly respected club with a rich history - I feel I have a lot to contribute to them and the team.

"I have experience at the highest level of football and I feel the move to Albion Park will benefit both myself and the junior goalkeepers at the club, who I aim to mentor and develop - with the aim to win the Illawarra Premier League."

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The newly engaged Horton will now continue to train hard individually, ahead of the White Eagles' pre-season kicking off in January.

"I am focused and will aim to maintain my physical fitness and keep my goalkeeping attributes sharp and ready for the new season ahead," he said.

"As a team, the goal is to win all competitions and personally, I'm aiming to continue playing at the standard I finished last season at.

"Behind consistent hard work at training, I want to continue to develop my goalkeeping skills and be the best player I can be."

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