Connor Lewis makes history for Walsham-le-Willows by representing every team from under-7s to under-18s and all three of their senior sides

Walsham-le-Willows joint manager Ian Hubbard was delighted to see history made when one of the club’s youth products, Connor Lewis, made his first-team debut.

The teenager came off the bench to make his first appearance for Hubbard and Chay Budd’s side, in the recent 2-0 home defeat to Mulbarton Wanderers.

His debut made history at the Morrish Stadium, with Lewis becoming the first player in the club’s history to represent the Willows from under-7s to under-18s and all three of their senior sides.

“Connor’s played at every level all the way through from under-7s and it’s a great achievement,” Hubbard said. “We were a bit short the other week and we said to our reserves manager Cooky (Mark Cook) ‘who deserves a chance?’

“He said Connor has been one of their most consistent players and he’s another player that stepped up from the under-18s to the A side last year.

“He’s been playing really well for the reserves, who are top of their league, and when we took him in he only got 15 or 20 minutes but he certainly didn’t let anyone down.

“He came out with a lot of credit, which he deserved, and a lot of the senior players said for a young lad he came on in a tough game against a tough winger and he literally didn’t put a foot wrong.

“Connor’s another one who will probably not be in our squad immediately, but he’s another one knocking on the door for the future of the club, which is what we’re looking at.

“As the season goes on it would be lovely if we can blood a few of these youngsters in for next year.

“It’s a tough ask in this league when you’re playing Thetford, Ipswich Wanderers, who are flying at the moment, and then Woodbridge, but we will be looking to put these youngsters in when we need to and when the opportunities come about.”

Lewis, who plays as a central midfielder for Walsham’s reserves, can also play at full-back, and first joined the club back in 2011.

He was also a part of the Ipswich Town elite group for six seasons and also represented Suffolk, while with the Willows he won several league and cup titles and made more than 400 appearances at youth level.

Lewis joins a list which has now surpassed 50 players to have progressed from Walsham’s under-18s and into the first team over the last 15 years.

Meanwhile, Hubbard and Budd’s side slipped to a 2-1 defeat away at Norwich United on Saturday.

Walsham (12th) travel to Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division leaders Thetford Town tomorrow (3pm).

“We’ve lost our last three, but we’ve just not had the rub of the green,” Hubbard said. “Once we get our full side back out and with the new additions hopefully that will change.”

Marley Delgado and Artur Visocanskis have signed on loan from Thetford while Kehan Whitby has returned to the club from Diss.