Grimes: “call-up will act as an inspiration to all youth players”

Matt Grimes has been speaking to the FA about his call up, and the anticipation of playing for the Under 20s tonight against Romania.

I think that it’s a great thing that I’ve been called away, especially playing for Exeter. I know all these lads are mostly at Premier League or Championship clubs, and maybe that makes it easier for them to get spotted.

But that myself and Christy have been called up is a great thing.

But it’s not just about us – it will also be a massive boost for the lads younger than us have got a lot of talent because they will look at this and know that it is possible for them to do the same, no matter what division they are playing in.

On his surprise on being called up by Aidy Boothroyd

My first reaction was shock really I got called into the manager’s office after training a couple of days before, and he told me that I was getting called up with Christy.

Obviously it was a massive thing and I was completely taken aback by it. I don’t think it really sunk in until I arrived at St. George’s Park and met everyone.

There were a couple of rumours that people from the England set-up were coming to watch my games, but nothing concrete so I just took it with a pinch of salt really and tried not to think about it too much. So when it came along it really was a bolt from the blue.

Grimes also spoke the importance for the Club and his family:-

It would be a massive thing for me and my family, and obviously all the academy staff at Exeter. If I do get the chance to play I can imagine my overriding emotion will be pride.

It would be a massive thing for me and my family, and obviously all the academy staff at Exeter – to see a young player like me come through the ranks and go on to play for England, I think it would be a massively proud moment.