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Aaron Morley thanked the Wanderers fans for helping him get over debut nerves in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Ipswich Town.
The 19-year-old midfielder, signed from Rochdale, was plunged into his first game as Ian Evatt’s side looked to halt a four-match losing run on Saturday.
Thanks to goals from Kieran Lee and Dapo Afolayan they did just that – and Morley said the reception he has been given since joining the club has made it much easier to settle.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better debut, a clean sheet and three points,” he told The Bolton News.
“I had a few nerves when I came in from the start but I knew a few lads – MJ Williams, Ronan Darcy, and they have been great with me.
“I have played in front of those fans before but in the opposing team, so to hear them singing my name was just amazing, it was class. It has made it easy.
“Now I just want to get as many goals and assists as I can here – I think I am on 120 games now - so I definitely want to get past 200 with Bolton.”
Morley is no stranger to Bolton and was released by the club at the age of 14 before finding his way back into football with Rochdale.
“I’d been at Man City for five years and came here, they gave me a year,” he said. “I was playing out of position on the right wing at that time.
“So, when I got released, I wasn’t too frustrated, I just had to go again and luckily Rochdale was there and offered me a contract.
“I’d made my debut for Rochdale at 15, just before my 16th birthday, and I couldn’t sign a pro contract until I was 17. I was in and out of the team until then – but 120 games at my age isn’t bad.
“Most of my appearances have been in League One, we played in the FA Cup run at Old Trafford as well, so I’m delighted.”
Morley, who attended St Monica’s High School in Prestwich and still lives in Radcliffe, is still pinching himself at the prospect of a first team career with Wanderers.
“I haven’t had people tapping me on the shoulder in Co-Op yet, but my phone has been blowing up with messages, all the people I used to play with at Bolton were all messaging me to say congratulations,” he said.
“The manager has said in a few interviews that he wants to be in the Premier League in five years. And I love the way the team plays - I can get on the ball and create.
“So now it’s just about believing in ourselves and pushing up the league.”
Morley was also impressed by the other debutant on the day, James Trafford, who came in from Manchester City on loan to take the goalkeeper’s position from Joel Dixon.
“He was class,” the midfielder added. “He is 19 so I’ll bet it was a bit nerve wracking for him too but on the ball and his shot-stopping was class.”
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