It might have been a night to remember for young Reuben Noble-Lazarus, when he made his debut for Barnsley in the Coca-Cola Championship match against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Tuesday, but his appearance bonus did not add up to much. A ham sandwich and slice of pizza on the long journey home were all he got for his efforts.

At 15 years and 45 days, Noble-Lazarus, an 84th-minute substitute in Barnsley’s 3-0 defeat, became the youngest player to appear in the Football League. However, because he has yet to sign apprenticeship forms at Oakwell and is at school in Huddersfield, he is not allowed to be paid.

Hence the meagre offer of food from Simon Davey, the Barnsley manager, and perhaps the promise of further snacks if he plays again for the first team this season. Noble-Lazarus, a pacy striker, will have to wait until he finishes his GCSE exams next year and joins the club full time before he can dream of earning a wage.

“Reuben did well when he came on,” Davey said. “He didn’t give the ball away. He scored a hat-trick for the youth team on Saturday and I think that if they’re good enough, they’re old enough. He has trained with the first team only a couple of times, but the players have really taken him under their wing.

“I was Academy manager two years ago and I gave Reuben a start in the under-18s when he was 12. I’ve kept an eye on him and have tried to integrate him as quickly as I could into the first team. We need to nurture him in the right way, to look after him.”

Noble-Lazarus has permission from school to train with Barnsley two days a week. He beat the previous record shared by Albert Geldard, of Bradford Park Avenue, and Ken Roberts, of Wrexham, by 113 days.

In the past 20 years, Moses Ashikodi, of Millwall, was the youngest player to make his League debut. He played in 2003, aged 15 years and 240 days. Matthew Etherington, who plays for West Ham United, was 15 years and 262 days when he appeared for Peterborough United in 1997.

Previous youngest players in the Football League

Albert Geldard (Bradford Park Avenue) Made debut on September 16, 1929, aged 15 years and 158 days. In 34 league appearances for the Yorkshire club, he scored six goals. Also played for Everton, Bolton Wanderers and Darwen. Member of Everton’s FA Cup-winning team in 1933. Won four caps for England.

Ken Roberts (Wrexham) Made debut on September 1, 1951, aged 15 years and 158 days — his only game for Wrexham — because of a player shortage. Joined Aston Villa two years later. Forced to retire by a knee injury after 38 appearances.

Ronnie Dix (Bristol Rovers) Made debut on February 25, 1928, aged 15 years and 173 days. Holds record of youngest scorer in League, aged 15 years and 180 days. Went on to play for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Derby County, Tottenham Hotspur and Reading. Won one England cap.

Derek Forster (Sunderland) Made debut on August 22, 1964, aged 15 years and 185 days. A goalkeeper, he made only 18 league appearances before moving to Charlton Athletic in 1973. Joined Brighton & Hove Albion a year later.

Alick Jeffrey (Doncaster Rovers) Made debut on September 15, 1954, aged 15 years and 229 days. Striker who was first player to represent England at every age group bar senior level. Was going to sign for Manchester United but broke a leg playing for England Under-23s.

Words by Russell Kempson