AFTER making his National League debut for Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, Wotton-under-Edge teenager Joe Stokes insists he is prepared to join the fans on the terraces and cheer his teammates to play-off glory.

Handed a surprise start at Dover, academy starlet Stokes (pictured above with girlfriend Holly Hughes, father Jon and sister Grace) produced an eye-catching performance and the 18-year-old would relish the chance of playing in a semi-final leg in the re-runs this week.

Stokes said: “Hopefully I can be with the boys but if not, I will come down and sit with the fans and get behind them.”

And Stokes had a special word for the supporters who backed the team on Saturday.

He said: “The fans were like a 12th man. You could hear every single one of them – our boys and girls were unbelievable, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Stokes revealed that caretaker boss Scott Bartlett broke his selection news to him in the team hotel on Friday night.

He said: “Scotty told me at 9.30pm and, to be honest, I had a restless sleep.”

Stokes praised his senior teammates, who made him feel part of the squad.

He added: “Every player had a chat to me and told me the ins and outs of the league. They made me feel welcome and I felt like a first-team player.”

The former Katharine Lady Berkeley schoolboy acknowledged the part Bartlett has played in his fledgling career.

“My dad and I used to come up every home game. I’ve always been behind Forest Green and when Scotty gave me the call, I couldn’t turn it down to join him at the academy.

“He is a great bloke and has looked after me since I left Swindon Town at 16, and has got me to where I am today so I can’t thank him enough and now I am doing what I can to earn a pro-contract.

“I hope Scotty can take us up – he deserves it.”

The tenacious midfielder displayed some sure touches in a midfield three and was happy with his senior debut.

“I was pleased with my performance but there were a couple of things I could improve on. But I can’t put into words how good it felt to do that today,” he said.

“The tempo was a lot quicker and the first and second balls, you have to battle for every single one of them. When you get a chance, you have to take it.”