Christopher Atherton made history on Tuesday night. The thirteen-year-old youth player made his debut on behalf of Northern Ireland’s Glenavon FC and entered the books as the youngest player ever in professional football in the United Kingdom. With his debut, Atherton broke a 42-year-old record.
For Glenavon, which plays at the highest level in Northern Ireland, a League Cup match was scheduled with Dollingstown on Tuesday. Glenavon was already looking at a comfortable 4-0 lead against the third divisionist at halftime. It was reason for manager Gary Hamilton to let Atherton make his debut in the second company.
Tonight, Glenavon Academy player Christopher Atherton made his first team debut against Dollingstown in the League Cup. At 1?3? yrs and 3?2?9? days old, he became the youngest player in the UK to play in a first-class match. Congratulations Christo!!?????? pic.twitter.com/hypGdC5R7p
— Glenavon FC (@Glenavon_FC) September 13, 2022
Atherton came on in the 75th minute and was 13 years and 329 days old at the time. The very young teenager not only set a new record, but also immediately asserted himself. With his first contact with the ball, he immediately delivered an assist to the 6-0, which was also the final score. According to The Belfast Telegraph Atherton has already been on trial with several clubs, including Dundee United.
Atherton breaks a 42-year-old record set by Eamon Collins, who made his Blackpool debut on 9 September 1980 when he was 14 years and 323 days old. The world record for the youngest debutant in professional football is said to have been set by 11-year-old Eric Godpower Marshall last year when he played for Liberian team Gar’ou against Haifa FC.
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