Sean Dyche has had 'massive' impact on son Max's fledgling career

Young Town defender Max Dyche says father Sean has played a 'massive role' in shaping his fledgling career after the 17-year-old made his first senior appearance at the weekend.

Dyche senior enjoyed spells with Chesterfield, Bristol City, Millwall and Watford before ending his 18-year playing career at the Cobblers between 2005 and 2007. He then moved into management and has had great success with Burnley, winning two promotions to the Premier League during his eight years at The Clarets.

Max is now hoping to follow in Sean's footsteps after being handed his debut for the Cobblers in the second-half of Saturday's defeat to Crewe Alexandra.

As well as his father, Dyche has benefited from the senior pros around him such as Cian Bolger and Alan Sheehan, plus manager Keith Curle who was also a centre-back in his playing days.

"He (Sean) has been massively influential right from the minute I started playing football," said Max. "He made sure that he let me know that it would be my choice to play football but once I went down that route, he said he would help me in any way he could and he has done, which has been a massive boost.

"He's obviously shaped my upbringing. He was a centre-half and I've followed in his footsteps but having Sheehan and Cian helps as well. They both spoke to me before the game just in case I did come on, as I did, and it was helpful to hear those words of encouragement and belief from my team-mates.

"Even during the game, every time they could, they tried to keep me going and keep me focussed and that was a great help and I think it'll all help to shape my future."

Sean wasn't able to make it to Gresty Road on Saturday as he prepared his Burnley side to take on Arsenal in the Premier League.

"Sadly my dad wasn't at the ground to see me come on," continued Max. "I would have been thrilled to see him but I'm sure he watched on iFollow and that gives me a massive buzz.

"I haven't yet had a chance to speak to him. We went straight into the changing room to have the team debrief and then did the warm down but I'm sure I'll have a good conversation with him on the way home."

Max follows the likes of Morgan Roberts and Caleb Chukwuemeka in a long list of academy players to play for the first-team under Curle,

"We all really look forward to playing for the first-team," added the young centre-back. "We've got a good group, not just in our youth team but in the first-team as well and having them to welcome us really helps make that step up and transition into the squad.

"It gives us belief and we want to strive forward as a team. Us pushing out from the youth team and them welcoming us in makes for a good relationship and it can only help to make us stronger as a club in the future."