To break a record making a first team debut only days later would seem like an impossible fantasy. But the impossible came true on Tuesday night for soccer starlet Reuben Noble-Lazarus.

The West Yorkshire schoolboy became the youngest person ever to play in a Football League match when he came on as a substitute for Barnsley in their away clash with Ipswich Town.

At just 15 years and 45 days old he broke the previous record of 15 years and 158 days originally set by Albert Geldard of Bradford Park Avenue in 1929 and equalled in 1951 by Ken Roberts of Wrexham.

Unfortunately, his six minutes on the pitch did not see a reverse in the 3-0 scoreline, which sent Barnsley crashing to defeat, but the youngster said he had still enjoyed the experience.

Yesterday, he also had a taste of the attention lavished on football heroes as the media arrived at Newsome High School and Sports College in Huddersfield.

The young striker said: "It's been an amazing week. On Thursday I scored the winner for the school team with a volley when we beat our local rivals 3-2. There were about 20 people there and a dog running around.

"Then on the Saturday I played for Barnsley Academy's under-18s and scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United in front of about 60 people, which is I think why I was called up.

"Barnsley's first team manager, Simon Davey, told me out of the blue on Monday that I'd be playing and before you know it, I was on the team bus and playing in front of 19,000.

"My aim was not to give away the ball, and I didn't, so although the team lost I was quite pleased I didn't make any mistakes."

The quiet schoolboy has been signed to Barnsley's flourishing youth academy since he was 11 and is now hoping to gain a scholarship and a professional contract in the next two years – before fulfilling every young boy's dream of playing for England.

He said: "I don't get paid because I'm too young but I shared a pizza with the rest of the first-team after the match and they were all patting me on the back and congratulating me.

"I hope to play for England one day but I have to take it one step at a time and play professionally first."

The youngster also revealed how he wanted to take the number 31 shirt he wore home to frame on his wall but was not allowed to as they had to be bought.

But he said: "All the other players want me to have it so they said they would club together and buy it for me. I actually had a spare shirt as well so maybe I can get both and I can give one to the school."

Reuben said he got home from the match at 3.30am on the team coach because his parents, Bridget and Roy, who also went to watch the game, wanted him to sample the atmosphere.

The teenager's teachers and Barnsley officials have now agreed a deal which will allow him to train on Tuesday and Wednesday while continuing with his studies on other days.

Newsome High headteacher Paul Gittins said: "He is a bright lad and his parents are eager for his studies to continue so we will work with Barnsley to make it the best it can be. We are very proud of Reuben. He is a very level-headed young man despite the fantastic journey he has been on this week.

"He scored a cracking volleyed winner against our rivals on the Thursday and was playing at Portman Road five days later. Hopefully, we will watch him play at Oakwell on Saturday.

"He reminds me of Arsenal's Robin Van Persie. His game is full of pace and power and trickery. He is a shy and quiet lad off the pitch but on it, he is a different creature."

Barnsley manager Simon Davey said: "I was academy manager two years ago and I gave him a start in the under-18s when he was 12.

"He is a confident lad but he is still only 15. He is a talent and we need to nurture him in the right way."