Tom Lavery, a young player from Sunderland, describes being called up to Mike Dodds’ senior squads last weekend as a “dream come true.”
The 18-year-old graduate of Academy of Light was included in the Black Cats matchday squad for their Championship match against Swansea City last Saturday. He watched from the bench as his teammates lost 2-1.
Speaking to the Sunderland website, Lavery stated: “When I learned, it was a dream come true.” Even though the outcome did not work out as planned, I had the best experience overall. That was a fantastic experience, and I am hoping to have more in the future. I am looking forward to just being on the field at halftime and watching the fans applaud.
“Doddsy put me in the small-sided game for the first team last Friday morning while I was training with the U21s, and I thought that would be just to make up the numbers and stuff like that,” said Lavery, who joined at the age of nine.
“He pulled me over and told me he wanted to start me on the bench for the first team because he had been impressed with me this season. When I first saw it, I was shocked. Though I was genuinely happy, I believe I said something like, “You are joking.”
I addressed my father directly. I believe he also believed that I was kidding. I have been here since the age of nine, so all my hard work has paid off. It is therefore a dream come true to play in every age group and eventually sit on the first team bench.
My grandfather would always take me to football games. I believe that upon hearing that, he was happier than I was. He was ecstatic that everything had worked out.
This season has been amazing; after being given the opportunity to play with the U21s, I took it and kept improving with the U18s. Obviously, I have returned to the U21 team, where I am playing well and making a name for myself. It is been one of my favorite times in life. I wish to spend more time with it. to regain the opportunity to sit on the bench, and should I choose to do so, to further establish my reputation while taking that chance.