Chesterfield goalkeeper James Sissons adds another Malta call-up to senior club debut
Spireites stopper enjoying his football with club and country
IT has been quite a week for young Chesterfield goalkeeper James Sissons.
The 19-year-old has followed up his senior club debut with another call-up to the Malta senior squad, taking in Nations League fixtures against Andorra and Gibraltar as well as a friendly against Liechtenstein.
He also had the distinction of being the only full international on the park when Chesterfield rubbed shoulders with emerging talents from Manchester City U21s in the EFL Trophy last Tuesday.
The Academy product had been capped by his native Malta even before his senior club debut in the tie at the SMH Group Stadium.
Some of the City players may progress to make it big but it’s an achievement no-one can take away from Sissons, who came on late in Malta’s 2-0 win over Azerbaijan back in June.
“I’m surprised I was the only full international in the match against Manchester City,” he said after keeping goal in the 5-3 Trophy win. "I thought there might be a couple of internationals from some other countries, but I’ll take that.
“I’d played age group games for Malta but to get my full debut was a great experience. I came on for ten minutes and did what I needed to do. To get that debut for my country, it is something I am proud and my family are proud of.”
Sissons’ folks were back home in Malta and unable to witness his Spireites debut in person.
He was beaten by three pieces of precision from City but also pulled off some decent stops.
“There are always nerves in there. I think that pushes you through the game and it’s that pressure that makes you perform,” he said.
"Having an experienced centre-half like Chey Dunkley in front of you also helps, young goalkeeper that I am.
"City were patient and as for their movement and rotation, it’s a different level but we overcome it and we won so we’ll take the three points.
"It helps that the staff make it very comfortable for me here. “Ryan (Boot) helps me out, so does Zach (Hemming), telling what I need to do and not to do.”
Chesterfield of course have some good international goalkeeping pedigree down the years what with the late, great World Cup winner Gordon Banks and another England man, Aaron Ramsdale, who made his first Football League appearance while with the club.
James smiles: “Hopefully I can go on and do something like those two, we’ll see.”