adminLONDON. – A 13-year-old footballer in the United Kingdom has smashed a record that has stood for 42 years.
On Tuesday, Christopher Atherton came off the bench for Northern Irish club Glenavon in the second half of their 6-0 League Cup win over Dollingstown.
In doing so, he became the youngest player, at 13 years and 329 days, in UK football history to play at senior level, beating the record previously held by Eamon Collins, who was only 14 years and 323 days old when he made his first team debut for Blackpool in September 1980.
Not only that, but Atherton went on to provide an assist with his first touch of the match.
He joined Glenavon’s academy at the age of five and has reportedly garnered interest from Premier League sides since he was eight years old.
It is said the talented young player was actually set to make his senior debut at an even earlier age, with manager Gary Hamilton ready to give Atherton his debut in the last game of the previous campaign, but he was away with his father at a Celtic match.
The Glenavon boss has revealed, though, that he has no plans to play the teenager in league matches.
Following the comfortable victory, Hamilton insisted he was not surprised by the wonderkid’s performance, and compared him to Manchester City academy product Phil Foden.
“He can play striker, he can play right, left wing, he can play in behind the frontman, he could play central midfield too, he’s just such a good
player,” the coach told ESPN.
“I’m not saying he’s Phil Foden, but that type of player, that’s the way he plays.” – KickOff.com
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter