Sam Hetherington: My pride at Carlisle United debut

The 18-year-old was in the starting line-up for the Bristol Street Motors Trophy game against Nottingham Forest Under-21s.

Hetherington put in a bright performance and the young Cumbrian received an ovation from supporters when he was substituted late on.

The academy product told the News & Star it was a night he will always remember – and one that has left him hungry for more.

“I'll be honest, I was a bit nervous when I first found out, because it was my first time playing for the first team in a competitive fixture,” Hetherington said after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat.

“But I was just really happy. I couldn't believe it. I got a little bit of time to speak to my mum and my dad, tell them that I was starting, and it was just a really nice moment for me.

“I thought I did well. In the first half maybe I was just getting into the game, building into it, but I thought in the second half I was a lot more positive, getting the ball forward and getting involved.

“I enjoyed every minute of it. It's something that I've wanted since I started playing football.

“All my mates are big Carlisle fans and they're all really happy for me and support me. Being a local lad, it makes it a bit more. Obviously it's a proud moment for anyone to make their debut, but it's really nice.”

Hetherington, who is on a third-year scholarship at United, could have marked his debut with a dream goal in the opening stages when he was fed in the box by Daniel Adu-Adjei.

“The ball got stuck under my foot,” he said. “I thought that was it, I thought that was my moment… but that happens.”

Hetherington in action against Nottingham Forest's Under-21s (Image: Richard Parkes)

Hetherington was given his chance by caretaker managers Steven Rudd, Mark Birch and Jamie Devitt – all of whom he is used to playing under.

“I’ve known them for two years, and in my loan stint at Workington last season, I had Dev as assistant manager and he helped me there as well,” he said.

“He [Devitt] just told me what he told me when I had my first game at Workington – just relax, stay calm, move the ball quickly, one and two touch, until you build yourself into the game and then you can start going forward with the ball and express yourself a bit more.

“The senior players all helped me through it too, speaking to me in the game where I needed to be and when to go and press, and if I was in the wrong place they'd tell me, and just helped me along with it.”

It was another memorable night for two more United teenagers, with 17-year-old Freddie O’Donoghue making his debut and 18-year-old Jake Allan capping his own debut with a well-taken goal just minutes after coming on as substitute.

“I actually missed his footwork, but I've seen it back on the video and it was a really good goal,” said Hetherington.

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“I'm really happy for him. He deserved it, and it was a good finish with his weak foot too. He’ll be over the moon.”

Hetherington is keen to continue on the pathway from academy to first team at Carlisle having been on the club’s books for several years.

“I came in when I was younger on trial but that didn't work out, and then I had a spell at Dalston Black Reds for quite a few years – and then I came back to the academy at under 12, and I've been in since then,” said the attacking midfielder.

“I think you've just got to wait for the opportunity and then you've got to snatch it.”

While Hetherington is currently around the first team squad, he said he will be open to another loan move if it helps his development.

Hetherington had a positive spell at Workington last season and is open to another loan move (Image: Ben Challis)

Workington are interested in taking him back to Borough Park.

He said: “I've just got to take it day by day and see what happens. Obviously I'll be open to a loan – I want to go and play football as good a standard as I can play and prove that I'm good enough.

“I enjoyed my time at Workington last season. I got a bit of a shock when I went of how good the standard was.

“Danny [Grainger] and Dev both really helped me through that and gave me the opportunity to go there, and I really enjoyed it.

“All the lads there were really good. I was there at a good time when some of the club legends like Tinners [Conor Tinnion, Sam Smith and Scotty Allison were there, before they all retired, people like Riggy [Steven Rigg]… it was just a good environment as well.”