NEWPORT County AFC prospect Sonny Lewis has gone from having youthful kickabouts on manager Michael Flynn's street to becoming the Exiles' youngest every player.
The 15-year-old made his professional debut in County's 1-0 EFL Trophy defeat to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday evening.
Boss Flynn needed to get permission from St Julian's School and Lewis' parents to give the midfielder a start, with the bright prospect given the 37 jersey.
In doing so, Lewis has broken the previous record held by Regan Poole, who was 16 when he made his County debut in 2014 before earning a move to Manchester United.
The prospect's tidy performance – he lasted 68 minutes before being replaced – earned the praise of his manager.
"We had to get a letter off his headmaster and his parents for him to play," said Flynn. "I didn't tell him that he was playing because I didn't want him thinking too much about it and worrying himself.
"I thought that he grew into the game after the first 10 minutes and he was excellent. He was a little bit late to the game, so we all thought that he had been in detention!
"He's a good kid, funnily enough he used to live by me when I first moved back to Newport. He was a little kid playing in the street, so now I definitely feel old!
"It's exceptional for a 15-year-old to make their debut no matter what competition it is.
"I am really pleased for him, he's got a lot of hard work to do to keep improving and make the step up but I'm sure I can guide him in the right way and do all I can to help him."
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Lewis wasn't the only youngster to get the nod with fellow academy prospect Lewys Twamley, a 17-year-old snapped up after previously being with Cardiff City, coming off the bench for a debut.
Joe Woodiwiss slotted into defence, forward Ryan Hillier, who scored against West Ham in last season's EFL Trophy, made a substitute outing while goalkeeper Callum Brain backed up Tom King.
"I've always said I will give them a chance, if they are good enough then I don't care about their age. I don't care whether they are 41 or 15," said Flynn, referencing the signing of veteran forward Kevin Ellison.
"I will make my own decisions and I will stick by them. I gave a 15-year-old his debut and I thought that he was outstanding."
However, the manager fired a gentle warning to the prospects.
"They have to continue their development. They can't go thinking they have cracked it now like a few have in the past, going back to the academy and thinking that they are the bee's knees," said Flynn.
"They need to work even harder now to be with us more permanently. Obviously that will be harder with Sonny because he is still in school, so we will have to wait and be patient with him to keep bringing him on when we can."
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