Rees on a rewarding Rebel experience

Rees has just returned to the Albion after a successful three months with the Rebels, and the keeper explained how the move came completely out of the blue.

“An under-23 keeper [Rushworth] was meant to go on loan to Worthing for the season, but he ended up getting injured, so I stepped in,'' he explained.

“It’s been really good, as it's helped me with my game and is very different to the football I’m used to. I still trained every day with Brighton, then on top of that I trained with Worthing on Thursday nights, with matches on Saturdays and sometimes Tuesday nights too.

“A 3-0 win over Bognor Regis was a particular highlight, because it was a local derby at home, with around 1,500 fans there.

“I made a few good saves that kept us in the game, and it was such a good atmosphere. When you’re playing for the under-18s, it’s more about your development, whereas at this level it’s all about winning games and learning what it takes to do so.”

The 18-year-old spoke more in detail about the challenge of playing in senior men’s football, and offered his advice to other academy players looking to gain experience at non-league clubs.

“It has been much harder physically; for a keeper there are a lot more balls coming into the box and there are bigger, more experienced strikers on the pitch.

“When I go back from playing against men to players my age, I think it will really benefit me to have had that experience.

“For any young player going out on loan, I would just tell them to be confident, go and play your normal game and don’t feel out of place.”