Albion's global scouting and player recruitment is the envy of the Premier League.

They expertly work overseas markets other clubs have not yet fathomed.

But there was a notable moment in their player development process as the final moments of the 2022-23 season ticked way.

It came amid party time at Villa Park as two clubs celebrated European qualification.

With the final minutes of the season being played out, Albion sent on Jack Hinshelwood for his Premier League debut.

His progress was today recognised by a call-up for England under-18s for the Lisbon Internatonal Tournament.

It is a well-known surname. Jack is son of former Albion defender Adam and the fourth generation of the family to play league football.

Adam, who lives in Selsey, joked that the attack-minded midfielder has broken the family mould.

All his predecessors preferred the art of defending.

But the significance of him taking the next step on a path which identifies and develops talent from the county was not lost on the club.

His debut was one of the moments mentioned late that Sunday evening by chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber in his end-of-season email to staff.

Along with other highlights across the club, Barber wrote: “Let’s not forget the number of young players that have played such a big part in our best ever season with ten teenagers scoring first team goals - and Jack Hinshelwood becoming our first ever young player to make a 1st team debut - at Villa Park - having joined our academy at Foundation phase.”

By “our first ever young player”, Barber meant very young.

Hinshelwood junior joined the club to play seven-a-side football for the under-nines.

He had, of course, always been mad about football but was not so keen on joining an academy.

Adam recalls him crying and asking to go home when visiting Chelsea's set-up.

He said: “Jack was a really shy lad. There was a lot of pressure from some parents but I said, ‘If you don’t want to be here mate, I’m more than happy to drive you home’.”

There was still some reluctance when he signed for Albion after a tour of the Amex but Adam said: “As soon as he got involved in the academy it didn’t take him long to get settled.”

The youngest players can attend to train three times a week and play matches.

The size of those games increases to nine-a-side at under-11s and then 11-a-side at under-13s.

There are not many familiar faces on old team shots of the under-nines although, from Jack’s first group, goalkeeper Tommy Reid progressed through the ranks.

Asked about any concerns towards the end of each year about being kept on, Adam said: “There’s definitely an element of that.

“As he gets to 14 you hope he gets a scholarship and what an opportunity that would be at a set-up like Brighton.

“But he has been very lucky in the way the club have looked after him and rewarded him at the right time.

“There’s a lot of chopping and changing but he has worked hard and done really well to stay involved all that time.”

Adam, who was previously on the Albion academy coaching staff and is now boss at Worthing, was at Villa Park to see a great family moment.

There was also a chance to watch Roberto De Zerbi’s squad train ahead of the Villa game.

He said: “I was very lucky to meet the manager and he said he was hoping to give him his debut.

“It was such a competitive game with Villa trying to get into Europe and the pride the Brighton manager has.

“You see four changes happen and then Danny Welbeck go to get warmed up and you think ‘maybe not today’.

“But fair play to the manager.

“He stuck to his word and it was a really proud day to see that.”

Of course the Hinshelwood boys and girls coming through are quickly immersed in football from a young age.

Adam’s youngest son and two nephews are already involved with Albion.

Asked if any of the family didn’t like the game, he said: “No, I think if you’re in our household you have got to like football!

“It was Jack’s 18th recently and all the nephews and nieces came over and there was a massive game of football in the garden.

“It’s in the blood.”