Nathan Thompson: If you're good enough, you're old enough

Swindon Town captain Nathan Thompson has admitted he sees many top class qualities in Robins' youngster Jordan Young, and believes the club are firmly behind their policy of 'if you're good enough, you're old enough.'

Young, The 16-year-old midfielder who recently received a cameo appearance during Town's away clash with Port Vale, entered the Swindon record books by becoming one of the youngest players to feature in the club's starting line-up.

Unfazed by the occasion Young put in a stellar performance as the Robins fell to a narrow defeat, earning many plaudits from team mates and coaching staff alike. 

Writing in his captain's column prior to last weekend's victory over Blackpool, Nathan Thompson emphasised how important the night was for the 16-year-old and added that, in his view, Young's maiden appearance signifies the club's willingness to promote youth talent into the main ranks.

"At 16-years-old I believe it made him the fourth youngest player in Swindon's history to make their debut and I personally thought he was superb," Thompson notes in his column.

"The management have shown over the past couple of years that if you're good enough, you're old enough and Jordan's quality certainly showed in his 20 minute cameo," he adds.

Thompson himself is enjoying a rich return to form, following a lengthy absence from the Town starting XI because of injury sustained before the Christmas period. 

The Robins exhibited their all hands on deck approach during last weekend's hard fought win over Blackpool, as Thompson had to strike up an instant relationship with new acquisition Jamie Sendles-White, who was thrust straight into the back line after late injury to Raphael Rossi-Branco.

Thompson will only take positives from the hearty performance against Blackpool, combined with the emergence of promising young talent developing nicely in the club's youth system.

Such vocal approval can only work positively for the confidence of Young, when his next opportunity of first team action arises, and the 16-year-old will undoubtedly be buoyed by earning his captain's approval.

"I believe he will have a big future in the game," Thompson adds.