Lee Bryant was inspired by the late Bobby Moore when he became the youngest player to turn out for an Albion youth team.
Bryant was 13 years 221 days when he played in central defence for table-topping Seagulls in a 4-1 victory over Colchester in the Youth Under-17s Alliance at Lancing College.
And the Downlands (Hassocks) pupil revealed how the style of England's World Cup-winning captain, as well as a love of chess, helped him impress.
He said: "I've looked at videos of Bobby Moore and read about him on the internet. And the coaches at Brighton have spoken about him to. He had such a good positional sense that it helped prolong his career because he didn't run around as much others did. I tried to bear that in mind against Colchester.
"As for the chess, I played for Sussex a couple of year ago when I was at St Lawrence primary in Hurstpierpoint. It has helped my football because it taught me the habit of thinking about things first before rushing in. That's what I attempted for the under-17s."
Bryant, who is training with Sussex Schools' under-14s at Varndean (Brighton) this week, got the call after Joel Lynch was promoted to Albion under-19s.
He said: "I started the season playing one match for the under-14s but coach Les Rogers recommended me to play regularly for the under-15s and I've done that since.
"But I was surprised to go up to under-17s. The first thing I did was cancel a night out with my mates.
"I was really nervous. It was a lot faster and stronger than what I was used to but the other fellas in the team were very supportive and gave me advice. I appreciated that."
Bryant, one of five brothers, hasn't mentioned his history-making performances to schoolmates.
He said: "I don't think you should start boasting. I'm not big-headed. I haven't done anything yet. It's just another step."
His father Wayne said: "Lee's quite tall, about 5ft 10ins, but not thick set. Yet he can read a game and is certainly developing a positional sense like Bobby Moore had. A little bit of vision and timing helped Bobby - who I first told Lee about - avoid situations where pure physical strength was needed. Lee seems to have modelled his game on him.
"I was surprised how well he did against Colchester. I told him to treat it just like another game and he coped really well. He was with a good bunch of boys and they definitely helped him.
"Lee has an old head on young shoulders. There's nothing flash about him. He takes it all in his stride.
"He eats and sleeps football. We saw the film Bend It Like Beckham on television the other night after spending the day watching Liverpool v Manchester United and Chelsea v Newcastle."
Mum Clare joked: "I had to peel him away from the telly for dinner."
Martin Hinselwood, Albion's director of football, praised the youngster's debut.
He said: 'We brought Lee in believing he would be able to deal with it. Thirteen may sound young but he did well. I joked with him that it put a smile on his face for the first time this season what with Crystal Palace, the team he supports, not doing so well!"
Bryant took part in England under-14s coaching sessions last season. He said: "The FA told me they weren't doing my age group because of costs but scouts are keeping an eye on all of us who were involved. But I'm concentrating on Albion."
The former Hassocks Youth was on trial with Fulham before he joined the Seagulls.
Russell Martin has made it through to next week's final English Schools Under-18s trial at Newbury.
The Varndean (Brighton) midfielder was in Albion's FA Youth Cup squad for the tie against Dulwich last night.
Martin, 17, said: "England will select a squad for two teams after the last trial so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Everyone wants to play for their country and hopefully I can make it as a pro."
Sussex FA under-18s face London at Dulwich Hamlet on Sunday (1.30pm).
Squad: Danny Geard (Burgess Hill), Lloyd Cotton (BH), Alastair Davey (Chichester City United), Sam Kelly (Lewes), Bertie Foster (BH), Mark Fox (Crawley), Matthew Hill (Whitehawk), Joe Keehan (W), Russell Martin (Albion), Scott Murfin (Ch), Nikos Skevios (Three Bridges), Sam Adams (Hastings), Lloyd Walker (Arundel), Alex Ward (Ch), Dan White (BH), Rhys Whyborne (Eastbourne Borough), Tom Edmonds (BH).
SAM Tucknott, who played in the English Schools Under-14s Cup final last season for Dorothy Stringer (Brighton), has joined school teammates Jerahl Hughes and Jamie Brotherton as part of Crystal Palace's junior set-up.
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