Josh Seary said it was an “amazing feeling” to have made his professional debut for Preston North End.
The 18-year-old defender, who has come through the PNE ranks in recent years, played 71 minutes at right wing back in North End’s Carabao Cup defeat to Salford City, before being replaced by Alan Browne.
Having been with the first team throughout all of pre-season, Josh was delighted that his landmark moment arrived.
“To make my full debut at Deepdale in front of all the fans was a surreal moment for me,” he said.
“Thank you to the gaffer for giving me the opportunity and hopefully there’s many more to come.
“Youth football is competitive but tonight was a different level. Nothing compares to it. It was an amazing feeling.
“When I came back for pre-season, it was just about working hard and trying to play as good as I can, and I think I’ve been doing that.
“Obviously the gaffer believes that too and hopefully I’ve repaid him tonight.”
The Republic of Ireland youth international signed his first professional contract in June 2021, and trained with the first team on a number of occasions prior to this summer.
Since returning, he’s been exclusively at Euxton and working hard for opportunities, and he was pleased with what he managed to do against Sky Bet League Two side Salford City on Tuesday night.
“I thought I did well,” Josh added. “There’s obviously a few things I can improve on, but I’m still learning every day and that’s important for me to learn from the players I’m around.
“There was a bit of nerves as there were loads of fans at Deepdale and it’s a competitive game. I was mainly excited to show the fans what I can do.
“You never know who is watching, so to put a good performance in was important and I felt I did that, especially in the first half.
“It’s a shame about the result but I’m sure we can take the positives into Saturday against Sunderland.”
Josh, who spent the first half of last season on loan with Warrington Town, is hungry to absorb as much information as he can in the first team environment, which will only benefit his personal development.
The same can be said for a few of the lads who have come through the Academy alongside Josh, the likes of Preston-born Kian Taylor, who joined at a very young age and also made his professional debut against the Ammies.
Josh said: “Training with the lads every day and testing myself against them is only going to make me better. Hopefully I can keep learning and developing.
“I’ve been with the Academy lads since I was 14 or 15 years old. To make my debut with some of them tonight was a special moment for all of us, as I know how much it means to them as well.”