Preston North End’s first-year scholar Kian Smart says there is no substitute for FA Youth Cup football as he continues his quest to follow in his dad’s footsteps all the way to the first team.
The 17-year-old defensive midfielder is the son of Allan Smart, who spent two years at Preston and latterly made his mark at Carlisle United and Watford.
Kian is set to be part of the Lilywhites side that will contest an FA Youth Cup sixth round tie at home to Stoke City on Monday night.
And, having seen off Sheffield United, Everton and AFC Wimbledon to get this far, with Smart senior watching on in the stands, Kian is determined for both he and Preston to continue their progress.
He said: “Youth Cup football is different to the league, you’re playing in stadiums, in front of more fans, and the build up to the night is so much bigger.
“In the league match-days are in the morning, so you get up and you go and play. I prefer the evening games that the Youth Cup creates, I like having the time to think about the match and get your mind ready.
“My dad has said to me ‘it’s a big game, but don’t think about it like that, just do what you do and you’ll be fine’.
“He lives down south, but he comes to all the Youth Cup matches and we always speak afterwards.
“For as far back as I can remember I played football, and it was something I always wanted to do.
“Now I’ve got this far I want to keep going.”
Preston, under the tutelage of academy manager Nick Harrison, are in fine form, unbeaten in seven games ahead of Saturday morning’s league clash with Rochdale.
And Smart added: “Our recent form gives us confidence going into the tie on Monday.
“It’s always good to play at home. We played Everton at Deepdale earlier on the competition and beating them on penalties was an amazing feeling. It was a great night for us.
“There’s no better way to win a game of football, but it’s horrible on the losing team.”
FA Youth Cup history
Preston were runners-up in 1960, losing 5-2 to Chelsea over two legs. This is the furthest they have been in the competition since then.
Stoke have also reached the final once, losing 4-2 on aggregate to Everton in 1984.
Did you know?
As well as having Kian hoping to emulate father Allan and reach the Preston first team, the Lilywhites also have defender Lewis Fensome in their ranks, son of former full-back Andy Fensome.
One to watch
All-action midfielder Melle Meulensteen captains Preston’s exciting young team. Son of former Fulham manager Rene, Meulensteen has spent time in the Manchester United academy and is a dead-ball specialist.
The prize
A place in the last four awaits the winners, where they will play Manchester City over two legs.
