Last night saw Barnsley's Academy midfielder Paul Digby make his full début in a Reds shirt at Oakwell and the 17-year-old completed 90 minutes of action against a side gunning for promotion back to the big time.

'Diggers' told barnsleyfc.co.uk of his delight following his home début.

"It was incredible," he said. "I was really excited about the chance. I'd played against Derby but the thought of playing at Oakwell in front of the home crowd was really exciting.

"I wanted to go out there and give a good performance for everyone.

"I got told I would be playing (on Monday) and I had a whole day before the game", he continued. "I tried to relax and I didn't tell my friends I would be playing because I didn't want to have to worry about getting them all to the ground!

"Everyone has been brilliant with me. All the players told me to go and enjoy it.

"All the Academy lads and staff were 100 percent behind me and they've all been really great.

"Honestly, I find it hard to describe, it was such a good feeling. I've dreamt about stuff like that.

"Flicker told me how lucky I was, and I know I'm the luckiest lad ever."

Despite losing out 3-1 with no luck on the Reds' side, Digby was delighted to receive positive comments from both his team-mates and his opponents.

"After the game, that's another thing why I was so pleased, I had all these (Birmingham) players come up to me and said 'well done'. They must have known I was young and was making my full début.

"Getting comments like that from players of such high standards was incredible.

"I haven't played in a couple of weeks now, I started cramping up a bit towards the end but I was determined to get through it and wanted to try my best."

Still a first-year Academy scholar at Oakwell, the midfielder was also delighted at the gesture of team-mate Michael Tonge.

"Michel Tonge got my shirt out and got everyone to sign it for me," he added. "It was a really nice gesture from such a top, top guy. The advice I got from him and everyone was really nice."