IT WAS the biggest 20 minutes of his footballing life.

When Tyrell Robinson came off the bench in a trial game at Watford earlier this year, he could not have pictured where it would lead.

But he did enough in that time, claiming two assists in a previously goalless encounter, to catch Greg Abbott’s attention – and ultimately earn a first senior contract with City.

Careers can turn on moments like that and Robinson is hoping his low-key cameo that impressed the head of recruitment could prove the starting point on a Valley Parade success story.

Certainly he has made strides this week – a debut substitute’s appearance against Charlton followed by a first start in the Checkatrade Trophy win over Manchester City’s development side.

The sight of those young hopefuls lining up against them reminded Robinson of the battle he has already had to get this far. He has over a decade with Arsenal behind him.

Robinson said: “I was there for 11 or 12 years but it was a difficult one.

“When I was about 18, I was thinking ‘this could be the end’. I knew I needed to try and push on and play first-team football.

“Obviously I’m getting older now and was 20 in September. I need the chance, I’m fairly close and want to claim my spot.

“I had played against a lot of the (Man City) players before and they do have incredible talent. It’s like the boys at Arsenal as well.

“But we handled them very well and they couldn’t get near us, to be fair.

“A lot of those boys think they can come and leave Man City and just jump into another team.

“But it’s not that simple. I have been through it myself.

“I’ve been around to a few clubs and it didn’t work out, so I am thankful to Bradford.”

Robinson admitted he had to rebuild his own self-esteem after the knockbacks left him questioning his chances of making the grade.

And when he did get the opportunity at City, signing at the same time as Omari Patrick and Callum Gunner, he took a while to appreciate what was in front of him.

He said: “It ruined my confidence a little bit in going around to different clubs. I was thinking to myself that I wasn’t going to make it and getting worried.

“I was talking to my family and asking, ‘is it going to work?’

“Then I got the call to come here in pre-season and, at first, I didn’t do myself any favours.

“But I’ve come a long way since then and they have told me that. I’m very thankful and just want to grab this chance with both hands and keep going.”

A meagre Valley Parade audience witnessed his first full outing in claret and amber. But those who did make the effort on Tuesday will have seen a player with pace in abundance.

The presence of Robinson on one side and Jordan Gibson on the other was an exciting glimpse of the talent within the club’s own development ranks.

Robinson, who switched to full back for the second half, said: “Obviously we have got people out with a few injuries, so it was a massive chance for everyone to prove themselves.

“Jabba (Jacob Hanson) and I made our debut on Saturday and now we are pushing ourselves and also the likes of Ellis (Hudson), Curtis (Peters) and Jordan to get themselves in and around the first team as well.

“I have played quite a lot of football in the past week. I had two games for the under-23s and obviously had my chance with the first team.

“It was a brilliant feeling for me because I have never done that before.

“I dreamed of doing it and it’s come true. I just want to keep on doing that now and pushing on.

“Playing two games in the space of three days has got me buzzing for the next one. Hopefully I am involved again.”