'Really special': Bessacarr footballer Jonny Tomlinson on making his first team debut for Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster Rovers youngster Jonny Tomlinson described making his first team debut for the club as a real special moment.

Tomlinson, who has captained the team at youth level, appeared as an 84th minute substitute during Doncaster’s 3-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town and made a strong impression in the brief time he had on the pitch.

In his first interview as a first team player, Tomlinson said: “It's amazing, really special. I just want to thank everyone at the club, right from under-8s to under-18s, I just want to thank them for allowing me to have this opportunity and keep pushing me through the hard days.”

Tomlinson admitted that he didn’t know if today would be his debut after starting the game as a substitute. He explained: “I just thought, when they made four subs, I just turned to my friend and said, we might not get the opportunity today, two minutes late, I'm on the pitch playing, and it was totally by surprise, to be honest. “

When asked if he had any nerves, Tomlinson added: Yeah, you can't really think about it. As soon as the gaffer turned around and said, just get ready, I was like getting ready as quick as possible. My mam was already ready just in case I needed to be called up.”

Tomlinson, who hails from Bessacarr has been on the books for just under decade progressing through various different age groups to get to where he is now. Describing his journey, he said: “I joined when I was under-8s, pre-academy, progressing through the years, I got a few two-year contracts. Then got offered an early scholar, and I've just been in there ever since. My mum and dad were here tonight, they're really proud of me, obviously. It's really special, this is my hometown, I’ve grown up here, come to the games, ball-boyed the games, watched right from when I was eight, and then just to be on it, be part of it, it's just really special.