Graham Alexander's lovely gesture to Preston North End youngster Ed Nolan after debut

Graham Alexander made sure the whole Preston North End team got together to commemorate Ed Nolan's senior debut.

There hasn't been a lot to smile about in recent weeks for Preston, with the 4-1 defeat at Wrexham on Saturday another stinging blow in a challenging start to the campaign.

However, teenage full-back Nolan, fresh off of signing his first professional contract in the summer, came on for his senior debut late on in the loss and called it a 'dream come true.'

Alexander has been impressed with the starlet and made sure to celebrate his achievement by gathering all the players and coaching staff together to take a photograph at Euxton this week.

Nolan has loved working with Alexander since he took over at the club last month.

"It's amazing," he told Preston's official website.

"Since the gaffer came in, he's been unreal, especially with me on a personal note. He'll always be a manager that I'll keep close to my heart because he's given me the opportunity.

"I've worked as hard as I can and I've tried to take in as much information as possible, so the hard work has paid off.

“Growing up, coming in as a scholar, I was never very athletic, but I think doing extras and making sure that I can give my 100 per cent every time I do anything has always been big for me.

"I think doing extra work in pre-season, making sure that I'm running every day, has made that difference.

“In pre-season, I gave myself two days off before I started working again, so I'm always on it. I work as hard as I can in whatever I do.”

Nolan's parents missed his debut

The 18-year-old came on for the final 11 minutes of the game in North Wales and loved every moment of the 'amazing' opportunity.

Sadly, his parents ended up missing his senior football bow as they had booked a holiday that weekend. Typical!

Nolan said: “It felt amazing. It's what I've been working for the past 10 years of my life.

"It's a dream come true and I can't thank everybody who's helped me along the way enough.

“My family have sacrificed so much, the club have put their trust in me for the past 10 years and I’m really grateful to them. It was absolutely brilliant.

"My nan and grandad were there, but my mum and dad were away in Madrid for three nights, so they missed it! They’ve been to every other match too.”

Nolan has been at Preston since the Under-9s and is determined to ensure his first game is not his last.

“Being involved with the first team during pre-season gave me a bit of a taste of what it can be like," he said.

"Once you get that taste, you don't want it to go away, so I just kept my foot on the gas and worked as hard as I could.

“Thankfully, I impressed, but it’s not done. I don't just want to stop here. I want to play for Preston North End. That's my dream. That's always been my dream.

"I think I've just got to keep working as hard as I can in everything that I do, and it'll pay off.”