Rhyl footballer plays for Wales Under-17s in qualifiers

16-year-old Matthew Senior, a student at Ysgol Glan Clwyd, played at centre-back as the side faced Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey in their Elite Round qualifying group, with all the games held in the Slovenian towns of Radenci and Gornja Radgona.

Despite spirited displays, Wales lost all their games, including a 5-0 loss to the group hosts, a 5-2 loss to second-placed Turkey, and a 4-2 loss to group winners Serbia, whom they led by two goals to nil at one stage.

Matthew (back row, third from right) with the Wales Under-17s squad before a group game. Picture: Paul Senior

Young Mr Senior had previously played for the Wales Under-15s, and had been selected after attending a Wales camp in Cardiff in February, which was in preparation for these qualifying games.

The centre-back, who plays as a central midfielder for Denbighshire Schools Under-16s, is described as a calm player who reads the game very well by his father Paul, who said his son was full of praise for the experience.

“Lovely, really enjoyed it – lovely country, lovely people,” said Paul.

The youth international, who plays in Crewe Alexandra’s famed academy, also fell victim to the adapter problem faced by Brits in Europe, which was the most major problem on his trip.

Paul Senior added: “He didn’t have a phone charger which was stressful – he didn’t have the other plugs, the different plugs.

“But that was the only crisis for him.”

Matthew Senior’s attention will now turn to his county duties, with an upcoming semi-final of the Welsh Inter-County Championships certain to dull the disappointment of his Wales age group missing out on the next stage in Slovenia.

The Wales Under-17s line-up for their final game against Serbia. Picture: Paul Senior