Bermuda debut will be a dream come true, says Smith

Jonte Smith says it will be a dream come true if as expected he makes his international debut for Bermuda against England C on Tuesday night.

The Crawley Town forward, 18, has enjoyed a promising season at the League One club, coming off the bench on a number of occasions. He also experience loan spells at Metropolitan Police (Isthmian League Premier Division) and Eastborune Borough (Conference South), and is poised to top his season off by pulling on his national jersey — and he can’t wait.

He said: “It’s my first time representing my country and that’s always a big deal for anyone. An international debut is always going to be a big game.

“I’m up for it, I know all the other players are up for it because it’s a chance for them to show everyone on the island how good they actually are.

“Playing for my national team, there’s no other feeling. It’s the highest part of football, playing for your country, especially in front of your home crowd as well. It’s definitely going to be a close game. They are going to be strong and physical and hopefully all the players are up for it. I think we can edge it, though.

“My game’s going up tremendously. A lot of has to do with training regular at a high level with great players at Crawley Town. My game’s definitely got stronger, a lot more physical, I’m trying to become a more complete player and I think I’m on my way to that.”

He added: “The Met Police was probably one of my better loan spells. I was enjoying my football and I was scoring goals, everything was going well.

“Obviously I played against a few of the players on Tuesday. But going back to Crawley was nice, I was back with the players I had started with competing with them, which is what I wanted to do. I wanted to fight for my place and hopefully get involved as soon as possible.”