Teenage striker Griffin latest Sarnian to sign for Bristol City

He joins fellow Sarnians Ben Acey and Tim Ap Sion at Ashton Gate, with Alex Scott having been the first to follow that pathway in 2019 before making the step up to the Premier League last summer.

Sixteen-year-old Griffin, who has penned a two-year scholarship with the Robins having impressed at trials in September and October, revealed he could barely contain his excitement when Bristol City called his father to say they would be offering him a contract.

‘It was amazing,’ the teenager told the Guernsey Press Football Podcast.

• Listen to a full interview with Jack Griffin on the latest GP Football Podcast

‘I was actually doing some training when they got the phone call and it just made me want to run around, so exciting, and it was an honour.’

Griffin added that ‘it helps a lot’ to know that a pathway is there for Guernsey footballers to become professionals, having seen Scott, Acey and Ap Sion follow the same route.

He is now excited to see what the future holds and sees no reason not to aim high.

‘Obviously you’re in a full time programme and you’ve got some of the best coaches in the country around you to help you progress, so just take every step as it comes and keep working hard and see how far I can go.’

Bristol City technical director Brian Tinnion said: ‘We are delighted that Jack has decided to join us as there was significant competition.

‘The link with Guernsey is now well established and we are looking forward to Jack’s professional and personal development with us.’

Griffin, who became Guernsey FC’s youngest ever scorer when he was on target in the win over Westfield on the opening day of the Isthmian South Central season, also had a word of thanks to his Green Lions teammates.

‘Obviously I’ll miss them, but I’m going over to do what I love and they all understand that, and they’re all supportive,’ he said.

‘They’ve always been saying, even before this has been announced, that they’re they want me to get somewhere, they want me to do well with my football. They’ve always been pushing me and they’ve been a really good bunch.’