Swindon Town academy players make 'dream' steps into senior football

McGregor was handed his first league start for the club at the Poundland Bescot Stadium and Hunt came off the bench less than a minute into the second half after Tom Brewitt was forced off with an injury to make his first-team debut.

McGregor has been a part of the first team environment constantly for the last few weeks and said it has been a dream to start getting regular action.

He said: "It is unbelievable [to play in front of the Town fans], I have been here for quite a while and this is all I have been dreaming of since under-12s when I got scouted and joined.

"It is a dream come true and I have just got to keep pushing on now.

"I have been training for a month now and it has been great learning off all the experienced pros and I feel like it is bettering me a lot more being in this environment.

"I try to work hard and stay consistent with my performances, just work hard for the team and try and bring the quality where I can."

Hunt became the 12th player in Town's history to play for the club at the age of 16, following in the footsteps of players like Paul Rideout and Ernie Hunt and the youngster feels like working with the first team is greatly helping his development.

He said: "It is amazing being 16 and being trusted to come on in a big game like that, I got told at half time to be ready as Tom was having problems, so I was ready for it.

"I feel like I did alright and was comfortable, but obviously there is a lot to learn from it to keep going in the future.

"It is a big difference [playing senior football] because there is so much more to be switched on to, so much you have to do, and loads of information to give.

"It is much better for my career because I have been there and done 18s football and now to come into first-team football I am learning a lot and it is helping me a lot.

"I have been around the first team quite a lot lately and that is better for me as I feel like I am learning more."