SO HUNGARY FOR CALLUM
BY JOHN RICHARDSON LEE CLARK knew midfielder Callum Styles was destined for greater things – but never imagined he would be called up by Hungary.
Clark (below) recalls throwing a raw 16-year-old into the thick of the action with Bury trailing 1-0 in a vital League One game at Chesterfield.
Before the former Newcastle United star’s arrival as manager, Styles had created a piece of football history – but had also cost his side three points.
He had made his debut as a substitute, becoming the first player born in the new millennium to feature in the Football League.
But it was discovered the correct paper work had not been completed, making him an illegible player. Bury were later deducted three points.
Completely legal when Clark took over, the teenager felt equally at home in central midfield or at full-back or wingback and went from strength to strength.
Clark said: “My first game in charge was Chesterfield away in League One.
“We went a goal down and I’d seen things in training about Callum I liked, so I threw him on with 30 minutes to go. Despite his young age he showed unbelievable composure and helped us 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 which belied his age.
“I played him in midfield, but even then you could see there was an opportunity to play him as a full-back or a wing-back. He has since done all that. He is a very versatile player.”
When it was obvious he was bound for better things, Clark was surprised that Barnsley could snap Styles up.
“Without being disrespectful to
Barnsley, I thought they did well in getting him because I felt even then there would have been clubs from a higher level interested in signing him,” Clark added. “To be fair, it’s proved to be the right move. He didn’t jump too high too quickly. He’s gone to Barnsley and done really well.
“Now he’s managed to get into the Hungary side, he’s starting to attract a lot more attention.”
The 22-year-old gained his fourth cap, coming on as a substitute in the midweek Nations League defeat against Italy, having also featured off the bench in the victory over England a few days earlier.
Now he will be involved again against England at Wembley on Tuesday night – all thanks to his Hungarian grandmother.
He explained: “I only found out my grandmother was Hungarian around two years ago. I think the Hungarian FA became aware of my eligibility through the media.”