Midfielder Carl Johnston spoke to the club at the end of last week after making his Sky Bet League One debut against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Johnston, who has risen through the ranks at Fleetwood, started his journey in the Under-18s after being scouted in his native Northern Ireland and made in roads with his development throughout that phase to earn a professional contract and a place in the Development Squad.
Since then, he has performed consistently for Stephen Crainey’s side and has recently been awarded with multiple call-ups to the first-team on the bench for a couple of league games in a row, and, on Saturday, a long awaited appearance of the bench late in the game.
On his debut, Carl had this to day:
On making his debut…
“I’ve worked very hard to get that moment on the pitch in the club’s first-team. I’m obviously delighted on a personal note but would have liked to take something from the game it happened in.
“It was an amazing feeling to make my debut against such a big club, with a very good fan base, so I won’t ever forget making it in front of over 20,000 people or more. I want to give a shoutout and a special mention to the Fleetwood fans who travelled all the way and made some noise throughout the game.
“When I first moved over here from Northern Ireland as a young boy, there was about four or five of us so that really helped me settle in at the club and everyone at the club was really welcoming, so from that point of view, it’s amazing that all of us are here together.”
On getting chances…
“The manager [Simon Grayson] always wants to give younger players a chance and we are struggled at the minute with injuries so we have to see this opportunity and grasp it as we all work hard day in, day out so we can get these chances.
“I feel like I can look after the ball well and can be versatile in where I play so hopefully that will offer more opportunities in the future, hopefully coming against Wycombe at the weekend which will be in front of the home fans so we can push for a positive result.”
On playing with his mates…
“It’s an unbelievable feeling coming on the pith with Paddy [Lane], we’re like brothers as we are so close. To come on a couple of minutes after him, it was a special feeling that I can share with him.
“Some of us lads have come through the Academy together and have had an amazing journey so to come on with the likes of James Hill and Jay [Matete] already on the pitch, it just put me at ease and helped me slot in well.
“Me and Hilly have a great relationship as we’ve played together for years, and with Paddy, he’s only just come here this year, but we knew that there wouldn’t be any problems down that side as the communication was all there.”