Unless you were an avid purveyor of Watford’s Under-21 and Under-18 teams, then the name Tobi Adeyemo would have been one you were searching the internet for when the teamsheets were released ahead of Watford’s FA Cup tie at Reading just over a week ago.

Just eight days later, it was a name that was on the lips of just about every Watford fan, in national media match reports and his face was popping up on sports news channels.

At the age of just 17 years and 307 days, Adeyemo became the first Academy graduate to score on their league debut for Watford since Dominic Blizzard did so in the 78th minute of a 2-1 home defeat to Norwich on April 24, 2004.

And just to be clear – Adeyemo wasn’t even born when Blizzard scored that goal!

The forward has been on Watford’s books since he was 13, and had already come to the fore last season when netting against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup.

However, his goal on Saturday took things to a whole different level for Adeyemo, whose celebration included a moment where he placed his hands on his head when the enormity of what he had just achieved seemed to hit him, as he ran from the six-yard box towards the corner flag in front of an adoring Rookery End.

“It was an indescribable feeling,” said Adeyemo

“First and foremost, I want to thank God, I want to thank my family and I want to thank all the staff at Watford who have supported me throughout this journey because this is just unbelievable.

“I want to say that dreams do come true. I have dreamt about this moment, scoring on my home debut. The fans are incredible, it was an amazing feeling.”

Head coach Slaven Bilic revealed after the game that it was always the plan to bring Adeyemo on for the last 20 minutes – but he had hoped Watford would be winning the game by then.

Instead, Adeyemo was sent on in the 68th minute with the score at 0-0.

“He told me that I was here for a reason, and that he wanted me to go out there and show what I can do. I just want to thank Slaven so much for giving me the opportunity - I’m just so grateful.”

Ok, back to the goal – every fan dreams of scoring on their debut in front of their home fans and then being asked by the media to describe it, don’t they?!

“The ball came out after the Blackpool goalkeeper parried it, and I said to myself ‘I’m going to get my foot on this, I’m going to score here’.

“When the ball went in the back of the net I couldn’t believe it. I literally put my hands on my head and I was in shock, honestly. I couldn’t believe it.”

The first player he found as he ran towards the touchline was fellow Academy player and friend Jack Grieves, who later followed Adayemo in making his league debut.

“Grieves, what a legend, I love that guy,” he said.

“Seeing him from the Academy and being on the pitch together at the same time is different class.”

In little over a week, the striker has made his FA Cup debut, helped Watford beat Everton to reach the FA Youth Cup Fifth Round and then scored on his home league debut.

“It’s been an incredible week, with the FA Youth Cup win, and making my debut against Reading. I’m just so grateful really. Everything has happened so fast, I’m just trying to keep up.

“I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life. I will not forget this moment. I just want to kick on now, and I’m hungry for more.”

And yet it was only in late November that Adeyemo was sent out on loan to Hitchin Town, who play in the Southern Premier Division Central, the seventh tier of the football pyramid in England.

It was a chance for the youngster to test his mettle against battle-hardened senior players on a regular basis.

Watford Observer: Adeyemo in action for Hitchin Town in their away game at Basford United. (Picture courtesy of Peter Else)Adeyemo in action for Hitchin Town in their away game at Basford United. (Picture courtesy of Peter Else) (Image: Peter Else)

Adeyemo had played at Hitchin’s Top Field ground in August when he was a second-half substitute as a Watford Under-23 team drew 0-0 with the Canaries in a pre-season friendly.

This was different though, as Adeyemo was now vying for a place in the team for competitive matches – and ironically he found his fellow Hitchin forwards in good form when he spent his month with them, meaning he made just one start and two substitute appearances.

However, Hitchin manager Mark Burke spoke very highly of both Adeyemo and the help from Watford in arranging the loan.

“We actually first saw Tobi when he played against us in that pre-season friendly with Watford last summer and really liked what we saw,” said Burke, who has been in charge at Top Field since 2014.

“Pretty much from then I was pestering Omer Riza to see if we could get Tobi on loan but, rightly so, Omer wanted to keep him as he is a big player for the Academy and they wanted to work more on him.

“Eventually the timing was right and we were able to sign Tobi and use him whenever he was available and didn’t have Academy or Under-23’s duties. It has been a great arrangement that I think has benefited every party: Hitchin, Watford and Tobi.”

Like many who have seen Adeyemo play or stood near him, Burke couldn’t believe the forward was only 17.

“When we saw him in the pre-season I thought he was older and couldn’t believe how young he was. He certainly is a boy in a man’s body,” he said.

“He is a very grounded young man and has been brought up well by both his family and Watford FC. His attitude is second to none and everyone at Hitchin really liked him, he fitted in really well.”

Slaven Bilic has said how hungry Adeyemo is to learn, and Burke echoed that.

“Tobi was very keen to learn and spent his time on the bench observing Steve Cawley, a very good and experienced centre forward, but he also took on board how we wanted to play as a team. I think his experience with us was very beneficial for him and I would like to think he would agree.”

Burke, who is Hitchin’s second highest appearance maker with 732 outings for the club as a player, said Adeyemo showed enough in his short spell with the Canaries that he thought he had a future in the game – although he admitted he didn’t expect him to burst on the scene quite so soon.

“My assistant manager Adam Parker and I were saying we both thought Tobi was going to be a top player and have a future in the professional game but I don’t think we thought it would be this soon,” he said.

“I am sure Tobi will keep his feet on the ground and fulfil the potential he has, and what a great start so far.”

Sadly for Burke and Hitchin, Adeyemo’s first-team heroics mean a return to Top Field for a second loan spell is unlikely.

“Well at the moment I have him pencilled in our squad for our League match away to Coalville on Saturday,” he joked, adding: “Seriously, I think Tobi has made tremendous progress and it is unlikely he will be returning any time soon.

“I messaged Tobi after the match on Saturday and passed on all the best wishes from our players, staff, club officials and supporters because we were all delighted for him.

“The goal must have been played on our coach over 100 times on the way back from Mickelover by everyone on it.

“As I said Tobi has been brought up really well and I know he will stay grounded with all the attention he is getting at the moment and he will take it in his stride. I think he has all the attributes to make it and wish him the very best of luck and hopes he never forgets his short spell with Hitchin Town FC.”