We spoke to youngster Aran Fitzpatrick after he made his first team debut against Wycombe Wanderers.
“It felt very good. It was a proud moment for me and my family, something I’ve worked very hard for.
“It was quite rewarding.”
Speaking on when he found out he’d be part of the squad, the 18-year-old said: “It was the day before, I trained with the first team on Thursday and Friday, and I got told I was in the squad on Friday.
“I had a feeling that I was going to come on and make my debut.
“It's something you dream of when you’re a young lad. It’s something you’re working for all the way through the Academy.”
Talking about the matchday feeling, Aran added: “I was quite nervous to be honest, but I prepared as if I was going to play that game because I did have the feeling that I was going to come on.
“There’s a good few role models to look up to and just learn from really - training with them they know how to act, how to play, things like that.”
Late in the second-half, the youngster replaced Jack Armer to make his debut at Brunton Park.
“I think it was like the 80th minute or something like that. I did a few minutes warming up and then went on obviously.
“Gav called me, I think he was fighting for me to get on earlier to be honest, but I got enough time.
“My mind kind of went blank and I was just so chuffed to be coming on.”
When asked if he had any family or friends in attendance for the proud moment, he said: “My Mam, Dad, Uncle and Auntie.
“I think my Mam was crying.”
Fitzpatrick joined Workington AFC on 26 January to further develop his game before being called back on 17 April, prior to being involved with Paul Simpson’s side.
“It was very good. It developed me a lot playing men’s football as it’s different to youth football and it’s helped me while training with the first team as well.”
After impressing throughout his two-year scholarship with the club, Aran was recently offered a third-year scholarship alongside fellow youngsters Josh O’Brien, Jake Allan and Sam Hetherington.
Speaking on this, Aran said: “It’s another year to just kick on, hopefully I do well in pre-season and play with the first team a lot more as well.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
