Like most of the nation, Richard Sweeney was on the edge of his sofa when England took on nemesis Germany.
But those shredded nerves turned to optimism and excitement when Gareth Southgate prepared to send on Jack Grealish as a sub.
Sweeney has known Grealish for 20 years since he coached Highgate United Under-6s in Birmingham’s Kings Heath Park.
He had his reservations when a small Grealish was brought along aged five to play with his older cousin, wearing shin pads that covered his knees.
But those fears evaporated when the future England star displayed his skills by instantly performing keepie-uppies. Now England are turning to the Aston Villa captain to provide inspiration at Euro 2020.
After being introduced against Germany with the game 0-0, Grealish was heavily involved in the move for the opener before teeing up Harry Kane with an inch-perfect cross.
He also set up Raheem Sterling’s goal against the Czech Republic, sparking calls for him to start tomorrow against Ukraine.
Sweeney said: “The Germany game was definitely nerve-racking but I felt better when Jack finally came on.
“As a kid he was far better than anything we had seen before. I remember his last game for us, the match was level and the keeper has rolled the ball out to him, he has dribbled around the whole of their team and smashed it in the back of the net.
“My main recollection is I was worried the first three or four games because he was so young. However once he sorted out what he had to do, he went from struggling a bit to being the best player.
“He worked out for himself what he had to do to play at the higher level. He understands football.”
Should Jack Grealish start for England vs Ukraine on Saturday? Let us know in the comments
Sweeney went on to coach Grealish for three years before his boyhood club Villa came calling. Sweeney recalls most of the big Midlands teams wanted him.
He said: “It all began when Jack’s dad asked if his son could train with his cousin, who was with us. His cousin was a year older so I thought Jack was going to struggle.
“But he rocked up in his Villa kit and his shin pads which were too big for him and up by his knees. Then he suddenly started juggling the ball right in front of us. We thought, ‘OK, he is a bit good’.
“He played with the age group above but was not out of place at all. When he did play in his age group, everything was too easy for him.
“Playing in the year above he had to look after himself a little bit more. But he has always been very good at moving the ball out after waiting for the opponent to make the attempt at a tackle.
“Jim Thomas, the legendary Villa scout, spotted him and the rest is history.
“Birmingham were after him too and West Brom but they weren’t going to get him because he was a die-hard Villa fan, as were his family.”
