Fin Evans could not believe he was starting against Brighton – let alone scoring as he wrote his name into the history book by becoming our youngest ever goalscorer in Tuesday’s 3-1 win in the Vertu Trophy against Brighton.
At 16 years and 271 days, the youth-team centre-half broke a record set by Hatters legend Ricky Hill almost 50 years ago when he scored against Bristol Rovers on his debut at the age of 17 years and 45 days on 19th April 1976.
“I couldn’t believe the chance fell to me and when I scored, it was just the best feeling in the world,” said Evans, who has been in the Town Academy since he was 10.
“I see what people say now, that’s what dreams are made of, I just couldn’t believe my eyes, it was mental.
“I found out on the day before and I was like, ‘it’ll be good to get a couple of minutes’. Then I score, and I was like, ‘this is just making my game so much better’. Everyone just had their faith in me, congratulated me, all the boys in the changing room afterwards as well, it was a joke, I couldn’t explain it.
“Honestly, it’s been a surreal experience. I can only thank the gaffer for having the faith in me and obviously the players for helping me throughout the whole thing.
“I don’t think I could have done that without them to be honest, so I can’t really take as much credit as I would like to, but it goes out to them. They were superb for me so thank you so much.”
And on becoming a record-breaker, the defender added: “My friend actually had a look at that and said, ‘it’s 17, so if you score you’ll be the youngest.’ I was like, ‘I don’t believe that. I’ll be happy if I get a couple of minutes on the pitch,’ and then I scored and I was just hands on my head, I couldn’t believe it.
“It was a surreal feeling, I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight to be honest. I’m not aware of Ricky Hill, but he must have been some player to hold that record, so hopefully I can continue on his legacy and do better if not the same as him.”
TOP 10 YOUNGEST HATTERS SCORERS
Fin Evans 16 years 271 days v Brighton 28/10/2025
Ricky Hill 17 years 45 days v Bristol Rovers 19/4/1976
Keith Keane 17 years 148 days v Bristol City 17/4/2004
Roly Legate 17 years 210 days v Sheffield Wednesday 13/10/1956
Fred Allen 17 years 210 days v Old Etonians 29/10/1892
Stuart Douglas 17 years 216 v Oldham Athletic 11/11/1995
Matt Taylor 17 years 287 days v Wrexham 11/9/1999
Frankie Bunn 17 years 304 days v Wrexham v 6/9/1980
Tresor Kandol 17 years 359 days v Bristol Rovers 25/8/1999
Ron Futcher 18 years 92 days v Ipswich Town 26/12/1974
