Jack Hinshelwood has been playing his part for Albion for a lot longer than you might realise.

Even if he did not know that himself.

It is almost 16 years since the current Seagulls favourite was first mentioned in an Argus post-match interview and on our sports pages.

You can expect to see and hear a lot more from him over the rest of this season and beyond if all goes to plan.

As a goalscorer on the day, he was put forward for broadcast media duties along with Danny Welbeck after the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.

That means radio and TV appearances soon after the heat of battle.

He has spoken to The Argus recently too, during which time he talked about the family support he receives.

Hinshelwood has become increasingly comfortable and eloquent in front of the media and the club are happy for him to have further opportunities to show that as the season progresses.

Famously, he is the fourth generation of Hinshelwoods to turn professional.

His dad, the former Albion defender and academy coach Adam, is now doing great things as boss at York City.

Adam would probably have reached greater heights as a player had he not suffered injury problems.

And that is where Jack perhaps does not realise the part he played from such a young age.

I found that out on a Tuesday night in December 2008, when Adam, then 24, was coming back from another setback and a loan spell at Lewes to help get him back to fitness.

By then, he had already undergone four cruciate operations and played just one minute for the Seagulls in two years.

Speaking pitchside at the New Meadow in Shrewsbury, where Albion had just drawn 0-0 and progressed on penalties in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, he told me: “I’ve got a lot to thank my family for.

”It would have been so much more difficult if I didn’t have that incentive to do it for them as well as for myself.

“There has been many a time when I’ve gone home with the hump and the family have got my head up and said to just keep going.

“I’ve been married for six months. Thinking about my wife (Tracy) and kids, as well as myself, has been a big thing for me.

“I’ve got one three-and-a-half year-old (Jack), one who’s two-and-a-half (Gracie) and another on the way. There’s not much else to do in Selsey!

“But I love being a dad and it has really changed my outlook on life.”

The day after that night in Shropshire, Des Lynam and David Davies of the FA were among guests present to mark the official start of building work on the new stadium in Falmer.

Goalposts were set up on the muddy, undulating field and Dick Knight and Martin Perry took penalties at young goalkeeper John Sullivan.

Of course we did not make the connection that the muddy field and struggling League One club would provide the stage for young Jack to star in the Premier League before he hit the age of 20.

If anyone has a right to thump the Seagulls’ badge when he scores a goal, it is Jack Hinshelwood, whose joy was obvious when he headed home against Forest.

“It's what I've been working towards my whole life - to be in these moments and live in the moments,” he said going into the Forest game.

“But when you're in the game, all your focus is on what can I do to help the team so we get a positive performance and result.

“After the game, it might be a good time to reflect on that really did just happen.

“I am just really enjoying the challenges that I am coming up against and I don't fear anything to be honest.

“I just see it as a great challenge to go and prove myself to everyone.”

Speaking in March 2021, Adam said his boy had been around football throughout his childhood and had become engrained in the culture of Saturday being all about the match, all about three points.

The Hinshelwoods have usually been defensive players but Jack was an attacking midfielder back then.

Rather prophetically, Adam said: “How did that happen? I don’t have a clue!

“He will probably end up working his way back.”

Dad and son have been in opposition at least once. Jack went on as sub in the Sussex Senior Cup final when Albion under-21s beat Adam’s Worthing at the Amex as recently as May, 2022.

Then Dad drove him home.

Jack said: “Having them there always to be able to talk to is really helpful I think, something other people might not have.

“But, at the same time, they let me just crack on.

“They know I know what I need to do to be successful and I have to listen to people in this building and not be satisfied with where I am at but keep working hard to improve.

“It's a good feeling in my family at the moment with my Dad doing so well.

“There was a point last season where I was injured and he'd just got the job (at York) and we were having a bit of a tough moment but we've come through them together as a family.

“But to see him flying now, I am really happy and I hope it carries on because it brings that family feel-good factor.”

Ironically, when Adam spoke about being a family man back in 2008, he had just helped set up what turned out to be an ill-fated Trophy semi-final at Luton.

The same venue was a far happier place recently as Jack made his debut for England under-21s with family in attendance.

Jack said: “I had to get about 12, 13 tickets for them to come and watch, which is usual for most home games as well.

“But it's always nice to have them in the crowd, especially when it's a landmark moment and you get a good result.

“It's always a nice feeling when you walk up to the players' lounge and you see their faces."

Adam was among them, enjoying the moment and returning the support from all those years ago.

“The spirit of Brighton,” boss Micky Adams called it after Adam made his successful return in the 0-0 at Shrewsbury.

That spirit lives on.