Debutant Jamie Donley: “This is what we aim towards”

Delighted Jamie Donley couldn’t keep the smile off his face after making his first team debut in Sunday’s Premier League classic at the Etihad.

A boyhood Spurs fan who has been at the Club since the age of eight, the forward came on for Brennan Johnson in the closing stages of our 3-3 draw against reigning champions Manchester City, helping us see out the game after Dejan Kulusevski had equalised with a dramatic 90th-minute header.

Speaking to SPURSPLAY afterwards, 18-year-old Jamie was typically modest, but still allowed himself a moment to enjoy his achievement.

“I’m obviously very happy to make my debut, but the result is the most important thing – I thought we played very well in the second half and it was a good draw here,” he said.

“On a personal level, I’ve been through the whole Academy so I just want to say thank you to everyone who’s been involved along my journey. It’s been a ride but this is obviously the ultimate goal (to play in the Premier League) and hopefully I can carry on from here. I’m a massive Spurs fan myself and so are all my family, so it’s a very good feeling.”

A stand-out performer in Stuart Lewis’ Under-18 side in recent years and part of the team that won the Under-17 and Under-18 Premier League Cup double last term, Jamie has stepped up to Wayne Burnett’s Under-21s this season and has so far either scored or assisted in every game he’s played.

On a hot streak in front of goal for England Under-19s earlier this month as well, Jamie was understandably proud to take the next step on his journey, but was under no illusions about the hard work that’s still to come.

“As a young player, this is obviously what we aim towards – playing well in the Under-18s, then moving to the Under-21s and this is the next step,” he added. “Hopefully I can continue to work hard, get more minutes and carry on the way I’ve been going.”

Watch Jamie's post-match interview on SPURSPLAY