Chapelhall teen and Airdrie fan Jamie White was so buzzing to make his Diamonds debut that he barely slept a wink last Tuesday night.
The 17-year-old midfielder crossed the line at New Broomfield for the first time during a 3-0 Championship defeat against Livingston, and though it was another loss for his side, White was delighted to get on the pitch.
But mum Debbie and dad Harry missed the game, due to her work commitments.
White was one of three young players making their debuts, alongside twins Cole and Dylan Williams, as they replaced Lewis McGregor, Chris Mochrie and captain Adam Frizzell, 84 minutes into the game.
White was called up to the first-team squad on his 17th birthday as Airdrie lost 1-0 at Raith Rovers on October 29, and he has been on the bench six times since.
He said: “It was the best feeling ever, it was an unbelievable feeling. I’m absolutely buzzing, it still hasn’t sunk in.
“I hardly slept at all that night. I think I had about two hours’ sleep. I was up for work at 6am and it felt like it was about 4.30 or something, I couldn’t sleep.
“It still hasn’t sunk in yet, and I can’t describe it. Hopefully it’s the first of many appearances, that’s the goal. I’ll just keep working hard and see where it goes.
“I was delighted for Cole and Dylan. I’ve known them for a couple of years, played against them a good few times, and they’re really nice boys, so I was absolutely buzzing for them.”
Mum Debbie, missed Jamie’s debut after being exhausted from work.
She said: “It was a proud moment, it was amazing. Sod’s Law, I wasn’t there. I had been working all day, I was knackered, and I was freezing cold, and I thought ‘he’ll probably not get on against Livingston’, but he did and we’re absolutely gutted.
“My sister-in-law was there, so at least somebody was there for him.
“It was a great moment for Jamie, he thoroughly enjoyed it. Hopefully this is just the start of it now for him.
“He couldn’t sleep or anything that night, he got up for work the next day, was absolutely shattered, and said he hadn’t slept a wink!
“The next home game is against Falkirk at home on January 3, so here’s hoping he gets a couple of wee appearances again soon.”