For Ryan Sessegnon, Cyrus Christie and Joe Bryan their pride at working their way up through academy football to the Premier League with Fulham was evident when they received their Premier League Debut Balls this week.
Even if their debuts did not turn out as they wished, a 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace, the trio still took pleasure in making the step up to the top level of English club football, for which they received the commemorative balls.
"To have Fulham back in the Premier League is massive for us, the fans, and everyone associated with the club," Sessegnon said.
"Even though we didn't get the result we were looking for in that first game, from a personal point of view, I was happy to make my Premier League debut."
The Debut Balls are awarded to players who have been in an English or Welsh Academy for three years between the ages of 15 and 21.
'It's what you dream of'
"To start the season, play in the Premier League, it's a fantastic achievement and, obviously, it's a dream come true because that's what you work for when you start through in the Academy and that's what every player dreams of," said Christie, who joined from Middlesbrough in January.
Bryan was a late summer signing from Bristol City and learned from manager Slavisa Jokanovic that he would make his Premier League debut less than 48 hours before the match at Craven Cottage.
"The manager had a little meeting probably about quarter past five after the [Transfer] Deadline Day and he said, 'Look, we'll probably need you to start at the weekend,' " Bryan revealed.
"I'd played 90 minutes for Bristol City the weekend before so, yeah, I was ready to go.
'Massive step-up'
"I can't really complain about being thrown straight in, that's the best way to get ready. The step-up is obviously massive but it's something I dreamed of for 24 years so it was nice to finally get there."
Fulham has been Sessegnon’s only club and so to step out in the Premier League for them gave the 18-year-old extra satisfaction.
"I always give 100 per cent every time I play for this club, this is the club I know, the club that I've come through and I get a lot of pride playing for Fulham," he said.
Ahead of a testing home match with Burnley, Sessegnon is relishing the challenges of the competition and how it can improve him and his team.
"No games are easy in this league, they're all battles, and I'll be looking to improve throughout the season," he said.
"You get less time on the ball and the skill levels are really impressive but it's about adapting and that's what I'm hoping to do for the games ahead."
