IN the space of just three weeks, Miles Storey has gone from the fringes of the Swindon Town first team to making his debut on the international stage for England.
He scored on his first Swindon start at Stevenage before his brace against Premier League side Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup thrust him into the limelight.
On Tuesday evening, the Town Academy graduate made his England Under-19 bow against Finland at Telford’s New Bucks Head Stadium. He started the game and played just over 60 minutes, joining the likes of Paul Rideout and Don Rogers on the list of players who have represented England during their time at Swindon Town.
After the match he spoke exclusively to the official website and began by describing what it was like running out with Three Lions on his chest:
“It never really sunk in until we got to the dressing room and you see the shirt up,” he beamed. “I knew last night that I was going to start and I knew that I was going to get the number nine shirt so it was strange going into the dressing room and seeing it there knowing I was about to put it on but it was a good feeling.
“When I found out about the standby that was an unbelievable feeling but as soon as Louise in the office told me it was going to be a full call-up I couldn’t really believe it! I thought ‘right this is my chance to show what I can do’.
“A couple of times tonight I lost the ball easily but some of the coaches saw what I can do, saw that I can use my pace. I got the chance to run with it a few times and won a few headers but I’ve really enjoyed it tonight. Obviously being at Telford it isn’t too far from where I live so a lot of my family have come down tonight so it’s a proud moment for them as well.“
Playing alongside potential Premier League starlets of the future, the young striker declared that the jump in class had not gone unnoticed:
He explained: “The difference straight away is that they’re really sharp. That’s the first thing I noticed - the tempo is much quicker obviously. There are long periods in international football where you don’t see the ball because the opposition teams are so good at keeping it. You just have to keep your shape and get your energy back but at the same time you’re always chasing the ball so it’s pretty difficult.”
After starting in the role of a traditional centre forward, Storey found himself pushed out to the left wing-forward position towards the end of the first half and admits that switch made a difference to his overall performance.
“It just meant I could get on the ball a bit easier,” he said. “Down the middle that’s obviously where I play for Swindon - I play up front. When I get into wide areas I can really just let go and have a run which I did in the second half a couple of times and caused them a few problems.
Having progressed from the ranks of the Youth Academy, Storey believes that there will be more to come from the Swindon junior sides:
“I’m sure there will be some more coming through but tonight was a great night for me. I found out the lads (Under-18s) won 6-1 against Cirencester so well done to them. Also Paul Bodin and Jeremy Newton have dropped me a text before the game to say good luck.”
Finally the striker revealed that members of the first team squad had wished him all the best ahead of his debut before looking ahead to Swindon’s fixture at the weekend.
He continued: “A couple of the first team squad have been here: Wes (Foderingham) and John (Bostock) they said good luck and they know Noel Blake and they’ve played in the England set up so they gave me good luck messages but just a really good night.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into training on Wednesday and looking forward to getting back into the swing of it against Yeovil on Saturday.”
