KIEREN Flavell is hoping to make the number one shirt at Barnsley his own and says it is ‘humbling’ to be playing under Conor Hourihane who he used to watch from the stands as a fan.
The 21-year-old came off the bench last week for his league debut at Mansfield due to an injury to Jackson Smith then made his first EFL start in the home draw with Cambridge United this week.
Flavell, from Wakefield, has been in the Oakwell academy since he was eight including during the spell when Hourihane was captaining the Reds to two Wembley wins in 2016.
Hourihane is now interim boss and has played Flavell rather than bring in an emergency loan ‘keeper.
Flavell told the Chronicle: “Conor has put a lot of faith in the young boys like me. We have a lot of thanks to pay to him and the staff.
“I used to sit in the East Stand as a boy watching him then I saw him lift trophies at Wembley. It’s come full circle and it’s very humbling.
“I didn’t have as many friends and family there last week because no one thought I would play so soon. But there were plenty watching the home game.
“I expected nerves but having the fans behind me really helped. I thought I did really well.”
Flavell – who had previously played in the EFL Trophy as well as on loan to Bradford Park Avenue and Farsley Celtic – is looking to take advantage of his opportunity in the first team with Smith and Joe Gauci injured.
“This is a really good learning curve for me.
“My job is to secure the number one spot this season, come back next season and fight for it again.
“There will be people back and it’s whether they bring anyone else in.
“We all want one thing which is to be number one for Barnsley.
“Being a goalkeeper at Barnsley isn’t an easy position to fill.”
He added: “The experiences on loan shape you for these games.
“Going out into men’s football, getting kicked and punched a couple of times, prepares you for these scenario.”
Flavell was joined in the side on Saturday by fellow academy graduates Jonathan Bland and Fabio Jalo who both impressed as substitutes.
“When you are getting called upon you have to perform whatever age or position. You just have to do your best.
“The three of us did that.”
