Styles’ rapid rise no surprise to his former boss Clark
LEE CLARK knew Callum Styles was destined for greater things when he first gave him an extended run in his Bury team.
But he never imagined Styles would be called up by Hungary.
Before former Newcastle star
Clark’s arrival as
Bury manager, Styles had already created a piece of football history – but had cost his side three points.
When he made his debut as a substitute in May 2016, Styles became the first player born in this millennium to feature in the Football
League.
But it was discovered the correct paperwork hadn’t been completed, making Styles ineligible and Bury were later deducted three points.
Completely legal by the time Clark took over, the raw 16-yearold was thrown into the thick of the action with Bury trailing 1-0 in a vital League One game at Chesterfield.
Clark said: “I’d seen things in training that I had liked about Callum so I threw him on during the second half.
“Despite his young age, he showed unbelievable composure and helped us go on to win the game.
“At the time we were second-bottom, and he continued in the side and was a massive part in us staying up.
“He was up for the task and demonstrated skills that belied his age. He is a very versatile player.”
Styles is equally at home in central midfield, at full-back or wing-back and Clark was surprised Barnsley were able to snap him up in 2018.
He said: “I thought they did well getting him because I felt even then there would have been clubs from a higher level interested.
“It’s proved to be the right move. Now he’s managed to get into the Hungary side, he’s starting to attract a lot more attention.”
Now 22, Styles gained his fourth cap as a substitute in Tuesday’s defeat by Italy, having also featured in the win over England last weekend.
He will be involved again against England this Tuesday – thanks to his Hungarian grandmother.
“I knew she wasn’t born in England,” he said. “I found out and then everything fell into place. It was
fantastic when the Hungarian FA got in touch with
me.”