Fleetwood Town youngster Nathan Sheron says the opportunity he has been given at the Sky Bet League One club has helped him progress as a player.
The defender became the club’s first-ever youth team player to come through the academy and feature for the first team, and says he has always wanted to play in the EFL.
“It was a big day for me personally," he said. "Obviously, when you are growing up, you want to play in the EFL.
“The experience at Fleetwood Town is completely different, I enjoy this more as this is proper football. I don’t think I would have had the chances I have if I was at a Premier League club; I had the chance at Liverpool and I wasn’t playing.”
Sheron has been a constant feature throughout the Cod Army’s 2018/19 campaign, and praised the influence manager Joey Barton has had on his career.
“When you have a manager who is showing his faith in the youth at the club, it gives you a boost," he added. "You want to kick on and show him that you deserve that chance.
“He has shown a lot of faith in me since his arrival, so I'm thankful for that because he is trusting me by throwing me in at the deep end. In training, he gives you an arm around the shoulder and says 'you need to do this and do that', so he’s been a big influence on me this season."
The 21-year-old is yet to score for Barton’s side this season, but is determined to continue to impress the former Manchester City midfielder.
“He’s been there and done that himself and, for me, there is no-one better to look up to than him," he said.
“I’m reaching my goals, but you obviously want to keep progressing - trying to get as many games as possible under your belt.
“If you have belief in yourself, this is what I have been doing all my life and it’s been what I’ve been aiming for.”