Young forward spoke to #HTTV after his professional bow
- Kieran Phillips on making his debut for the Terriers
- Forward shares his confidence under Carlos Corberán
- Watch the full interview on #HTTV
Huddersfield Town forward Kieran Phillips says it was a “dream come true” to make his senior debut for the Terriers against Reading on Saturday.
The Terriers narrowly lost out to the Royals in the Club’s first game of the new calendar year, but it was a special day for the 18-year-old nonetheless who became the fifth Town Academy graduate to make the step up to Carlos Corberán’s senior side this season.
The Young Terrier expressed his delight on making his First Team debut when speaking to #HTTV after the game at the John Smith’s Stadium.
“It’s a massive moment for me, I’ve worked all my life for moments like this,” he said.
“It’s bittersweet with the defeat, we didn’t manage to take the three points which would have rounded off the day.
“I used to come and watch the games here when I was really young, so it’s a dream come true to step on the pitch that I used to watch the games on when I was younger.
“My family and my friends have been there every step of the way so it’s a proud moment for them too - I’m sure they’ll be buzzing.”
Kieran has followed in the footsteps of fellow Academy graduates Romoney Crichlow, Josh Austerfield, Ben Jackson, and most recently Brahima Diarra in featuring for Town’s senior side for the first time this season.
The forward, who joined permanently from Everton in the summer following a successful initial loan spell with the Club last season, was also in the Town Academy at a young age before his prolific goalscoring record saw him join the Toffees at under-13 level.
Now back in West Yorkshire, Kieran is also one of 15 Town players that have graduated from Town’s Academy setup to play in the First Team this season.
It’s something that he says gives him, and the other young players at the Club, a big incentive going forward.
“It gives me a lot of confidence, it means he (Carlos Corberán) trusts me and hopefully I’ve proved today that he can trust me more and hopefully more opportunities will come up.”
The 18-year-old’s inclusion in Saturday’s match day squad was his fourth involvement in the First Team ranks this season, having previously been an unused sub in games against Wycombe Wanderers, Middlesbrough, and Sheffield Wednesday in recent months.
It comes off the back of a prolific season for the B Team so far in which he’s scored seven goals in seven outings for Danny Schofield’s side, a campaign which he has relished to date.
“I’ve found it really good (playing in the B Team this season),” he said.
“I’m back enjoying my football which is the main thing. Playing 90 minutes every week is obviously good and I’m getting a few goals along the way so I’m really enjoying it.”
You can watch Kieran’s full interview below on #HTTV!