Sunderland youngster Michael Spellman got his loan move to Whitby Town off to the best possible start with a goal on his debut against Nantwich Town. The Blues picked up their first win of the Northern Premier League campaign with the Black Cats loanee playing the full 90 minutes.
Spellman made his first-team debut for the Wearsiders earlier this season, coming on as a second-half substitute in the Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. It's been a remarkable rise for the youngster who was playing football in the Wearside League with Chester-le-Street United.
The 20-year-old winger has joined the Northern Premier League side on a month-long loan with John Hewitson, currently interim boss for Sunderland's Under-21s explaining the reasoning behind the switch.
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"Not getting red carded," Hewitson joked when asked what was next for Spellman. "Basically he's gone out on loan because he got red carded so he'd miss three games.
"Because of our fixtures, the way it's panned out, it's more beneficial for him to go out and get some senior minutes, experience in the legs so he's not just sat in row z twiddling his thumbs.
"For Michael, going out on loan, he'll try to come back in and force his way back into the Under 21's, hopefully develop as best he can. Whitby is a good standard and for the age that he's at, it'll be tough for him.
"It'd be tough for any player because it's proper men's football. Our academy facility is unbelievable so when they go to - no disrespect - some of the places that they'll be playing at, it'll be an eye opener.
"Like you say, he's played for Chester-le-Street United last season so he'll be used to that. It's a bit different but Michael is a great kid. He has some raw talent and ability so hopefully he comes back having grown from his experience at Whitby."
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