HALESOWEN Town supporters were cheering on former player Ikechi Anya scored on his international debut for Scotland this week.

Anya featured for the Yeltz during the 2008 season and made a big impression during his spell with the club.

Chairman Colin Brookes recalled: “It was during the period when Morrell Maison was running the club.

“We went to play Hitchin Town and Maison told me, I’ve got a job for you. There’s a young lad coming to watch the game, I want you to sit with him and tell him how good Halesowen Town is.

“It turned out to be Ikechi Anya. He was a lovely, polite young man who’d recently been released by Wycombe Wanderers.

“He’d been Apprentice of the Year at Wycombe and became their youngest ever player to appear for them as a 16-year-old against Southend United under manager Tony Adams.

“I don’t know what happened, but things didn’t work out for Ikechi at Wycombe and he came to play for us. He was excellent, a smashing lad and helped us get to the play-off finals.”

After his spell in Halesowen Anya played in Spain, turning out for clubs including Celta de Vigo, Sevilla Atletico and Grenada in La Liga, before returning to play for Watford, initially on loan.

Mr Brookes added: “I know that when Watford played at Wolves last season, several Halesowen Town supporters went to watch him play.”

Anya scored for Scotland against Macedonia on Tuesday night in the World Cup qualifiers.