A PROMISING talent completed a 14-year journey to the first-team after making his debut for Great Wakering Rovers last weekend.

Aaron Clark, from Shoebury, joined Great Wakering Colts YFC in 2002 as part of the Under-7 team, aged just five.

The 19-year-old right-back progressed through the youth teams in the intervening years before he was named captain of the Great Wakering Under-21s at the start of the campaign.

And Clark has now made his first appearance for the first team, after he played the final 29 minutes of Rovers’ 5-1 defeat to Dereham Town in the closing weeks of the Ryman One North season.

All five goals had been scored when Clark replaced James Pugsley and the teenager is now targeting a regular tilt at a first-team spot come next season.

“It has been a really successful season for me,” he said. “I didn’t expect to be named captain of the under-21s at the start of the season but I have been here a long time and maybe that played a part in the decision.

“Getting on to play for the first-team is a great feeling. I have been involved with the first team four of five times but to get on the pitch was exciting. It was a tough game to come into but I find my game improves when I am playing against better players.

“Establishing myself in the first-team squad would be the next aim but I have a tough ask getting ahead of Pugs (Pugsley) who has just won the supporters’ player of the year. But I just want to keep developing.”

Clark was nurtured by former Colts manager and current chairman Tony Butcher between the ages of five and 16 and Butcher was full of praise for his development.

“Aaron has been a one club person from when he joined the club until now which is exceptional,” he said. “His hard work and perseverance has paid off as well as showing that at Great Wakering the opportunity to progress is available if you try and want it.”