AN Ysgol Brynhyfryd student has made his professional debut.

Wrexham boss Bryan Hughes has hailed the contribution of Pat Jones after the 16-year-old made his surprise first team debut at Curzon Ashton.

First year scholar Jones was included in the starting XI at Curzon Ashton, playing on the right flank.

He has only recently celebrated his 16th birthday and he earned rave reviews from Hughes as Wrexham sealed a 2-0 win.

“It gives them that experience playing alongside some of the first-teamers and I thought Pat was excellent considering he just turned 16 last month,” said Hughes.

“When you look at it from that angle, it is an unbelievable performance.

“I am sure he must have felt a bit of pressure coming into the first team wanting to impress myself and he certainly did.

“He didn’t look like he was nervous. He was brave in possession, he caused them problems right through to the 90th minute so it was a really positive performance from Pat alongside the other lads."

Jones, who will receive his GCSE exam results at Ysgol Brynhyfryd next month, is a product of the hugely successful Ruthin Town Youth FC.

Ruthin Town Youth FC chairman Wynne Davies said: "He played for us from U-12s to U-14s.

"I recently watched part of a match between Wrexham U-18s and Coventry City U-18s, where Pat played for Wrexham as a number 10.

"As one of the youngest players on the pitch, he really stood out!

"Wrexham assistant manager Brian Flynn was watching that day and couldn't have failed to be impressed."

Mr Davies added: "As you'd imagine, he was an outstanding performer for us as an U-12 and U-13 player, where he shone as an attacking midfielder.

"As a 13-year-old, he once played for my U-15 team in a friendly, his brother Owen being in that team, and during my half-time talk I used him as the player whose example the rest should follow.

"He's a really well balanced and grounded young man who has all the required attributes to become an accomplished footballer.

"Nobody is under any illusions that he has a long way to go to become a fully fledged professional footballer, but we here at Ruthin Town Youth FC are so proud of him and wish him all the very best in his efforts to break through into the Wrexham first team."