Christian Chigozie thanked manager Matt Bloomfield, his team-mates and all of his academy coaches after making his senior debut in Tuesday’s 1-0 Carabao Cup first round defeat at Coventry.
The 17-year-old, who was named on the bench twice in the Premier League while still studying for his GCSEs, played the full game on the right side of the Town’s back three and put in a terrific performance against City’s seasoned Championship level strikers.
Bloomfield revealed afterwards that he didn’t inform the former Chiltern Academy student, who doesn’t turn 18 until November, that he would be playing until the team meeting at 5.30pm.
The manager explained: “There were lots of performances to be pleased with, none more so than Christian. I’m very proud of him the way he stepped in tonight, once we found out the news about Christ, and we are really proud to give him his opportunity. I thought he grabbed it with both hands.”
Asked how he felt after making his debut, centre-back Christian told LTFC+: “I feel amazing. I didn’t know until late, but thank you to the gaffer for giving me the opportunity. Unfortunately we lost 1-0, but I’m still happy to make my debut for the club.
“I feel very happy that I played the full 90. The confidence came from all the other players boosting my confidence before the game, the gaffer telling me he trusted me a lot, the players helping me throughout the game. That helped build my confidence and then I got in the zone and played well.”
Known as Chigsy throughout the academy, where his brother David also plays as a defender in the Under-15s, Christian paid tribute to his coaches who have helped him through the ranks, having joined the club at Under-7s.
“I’ve got a lot of thanks to say to the academy, there is loads of coaching staff – the likes of Joe Deeney, Ronnie Henry, Alex Lawless, Wayne Turner, Paul Benson, Jack Cartwright – there are loads of members of staff who have helped me throughout my journey and I’m very thankful to all of them, because I wouldn’t be here without them.”
He also cited Zack Nelson and Joe Johnson as role models for him to emulate.
“I really look up to Zack and the likes of JJ,” said Christian. “Unfortunately he’s out injures, but I look up to both of them because they’ve come through the ranks, and Zack also gave me a few words before the game just to help me out, because he’s been in this position before.”
Finally, this level-headed young man has his next target firmly in mind.
“Probably my League One debut, we’ll see…hopefully,” he smiled.
