- Christopher Atherton makes Glenavon debut and sets up goal
- ‘He got his debut based on his ability,’ says manager
The Northern Irish schoolboy Christopher Atherton became the youngest senior footballer in the United Kingdom on Tuesday night aged 13. The schoolboy broke a record that had stood for 42 years when, aged 13 years and 329 days, he went on as a second-half substitute for Glenavon.
Amazingly, Atherton’s first touch was an assist when he set up his side’s sixth goal as they beat Dollingstown 6-0 in the League Cup. The striker is almost exactly a year younger than the previous youngest professional UK player, Eamon Collins, who made his Blackpool debut aged 14 years and 323 days in 1980.
