Jordan makes reserve team debut - at 14!
13th February 2013
Jordan Allan has made his debut for Airdrie's reserve team – at the age of just 14.
The striker became one of the youngest players to feature in an official match in Scotland when he came on as a substitute in the Diamonds' final SFL Reserve League clash of the season against Ayr United.
First-team gaffer Jimmy Boyle, who is also in charge of the club's youth development programme, gave the teenager his chance after his red-hot form in Airdrie's under-15 side saw him net 58 goals in 24 games.
Jordan, who is from the Burnbank area of Hamilton, bagged six in a fixture against Dumbarton and then struck seven times in a match with Dunfermline Athletic.
He may not have got on the scoresheet against Ayr at New Broomfield but he did set up Ryan Donnelly, whose goal made it 5-1 on the night.
Now the youngster is looking to maintain his prolific goalscoring form and get another opportunity in the Reserve League Cup, which was due to begin this week.
"It was really good," said Jordan, a third-year pupil at Calderside Academy in Blantyre, as he reflected on his first appearance for the reserves.
"I really enjoyed the game and the chance to play alongside most of the first-team players.
"I found out I'd be included after that game against Dumbarton, which was on the Sunday. I was buzzing all week and I couldn't wait to play.
"The boys were very good to me and made me feel really welcome. I was gutted not to score and I would love to get another chance to play at that level."
Rangers fan Jordan has been with Airdrie since the age of nine and is one of a number of players benefiting from the club's youth pathway scheme.
Boyle and his assistant manager Alan 'Nipper' Lawrence take the younger age groups for coaching sessions and keep a close eye on the players' development.
"Jimmy has taken us for training before and Nipper takes us for shooting practice," Jordan added. "I just want to keep my head down and work hard.
"I need to do more work on my touch and I am building up my core fitness at the gym. That is making me stronger and has improved my game.
"My ambition is to work my way up to the first team and become a professional footballer."
Jordan was a member of the Scotland under-14s training squad last year and is part of the Lanarkshire Schools' Select who will face a Highlands Select in the semi-finals of a national competition.
The youngest player to play in an official game in this country is Celtic kid Mark Hill.
He was 13 when he played for Hamilton's reserves against Ayr before joining the Hoops last year.