Will Henry reflects on debut season for Swindon Town

At just 17-years-old, Will Henry donned the Swindon Town goalkeeper shirt for the first time during the 2015/16 season, and took between the sticks in the absence of injured 'keepers Lawrence Vigouroux and Tyrell Belford.

An arduous away trip up north to Rochdale saw Henry offered his first opportunity to show what he could do in the Swindon Town starting XI.

Grasping the opportunity with both hands, the youngster performed exceptionally and capped off his first game in a Town shirt with a memorable penalty save.

Henry retained his place in the Robins' XI for the final game of the League One campaign at home to Shrewsbury Town - A match in which he would go on to keep a clean sheet and scoop the Man of The Match award.

Speaking to Red & White, Town's official match day programme, Henry admitted the realisation of the events took some time to sink it.

"I still can't believe it now to be honest," said Henry.

"I thought I would be quite nervous in the changing room before but once you get out on the pitch it's more excitement than nerves, then the adrenaline just pushes you to get ready for the game," he added.

Since his introduction into the Swindon set-up, Henry has been given guidance by staff and team mates alike, particularly club goalkeeping coach Steve Hale, who Henry says was responsible for helping him produce his penalty saving debut heroics.

"Credit to Haler (Steve Hale) for his hard work after each training session and doing his research on penalty takers. It's just unbelievable, he tries to recreate what each team does in training each week so I have to give that to Haler," Henry explained.

The 17-year-old also revealed how much of the squad put their faith in him to play his natural game, while his goalkeeping colleagues were also on hand to offer support and advice. 

"They all just said 'make your own decisions - this is your game today - make sure you play well'," said Henry.

"I also had people like Lawrence (Vigouroux) ring me up the night before and Jake (Kean) message me saying 'all the best' so it was a nice touch from all of them," Henry added.

Henry was part of a trio of youngsters who were given the limelight on the final day of the season, along with defender Jake Evans and midfielder Jordan Young, each of which put in solid performances and earned high praise.

The young goalkeeper was quick to credit the work of the Scott Lindsey's youth set up in helping him to develop to a stage where he could be considered to make his bow for the club's starting XI.

"Scott's helped me throughout the season, he's helped me to improve my feet - to be able to know different passes to play, with the way we play out from the back," Henry said.

"I learnt not to be nervous, be calm, play your own game and you'll be fine. I didn't change my routine at all," Henry added.

Great way to finish the season with a 3-0 win! Buzzing for @evans98jake @Jyoung897 great performances ?????? pic.twitter.com/EuVk7MHfwt

— Will Henry (@WillHenry98) May 8, 2016