Williams brothers make historic Wales debut

Youngsters Mike and Marc Williams set their sights on the senior side after becoming the first brothers to make their Wales debuts in the same match.

Mike, 19, and Marc, 17, played in the Under-21 team's 1-0 friendly defeat to Northern Ireland at Llanelli on Tuesday night, in preparation for a preliminary tie against Estonia in May to qualify for the group stage of the Uefa Under-21 Championship. The Wrexham pair followed the likes of John and Mel Charles and Len and Ivor Allchurch as brothers who have both represented Wales.

Now the Williams boys have high hopes of taking their double act to a higher level, even if it remains a long-term aim. Mike, a defender, who played from the start on Tuesday, said: "It was a nice family double. To both make our Under-21 debuts on the same night was pretty special. We have both got into the Wrexham side this season, now we have got caps as well. Our mum and dad got down to Llanelli to watch us and they are obviously proud of us both.

"It has always been the pair of us together, from youth level and reserves before the first team and now for Wales. There's a few more big ones still to come for us, we hope. We both have ambitions of a debut at a higher level for Wales. We'll keep working towards that," he said.

"It was disappointing to lose on our debuts together, but the Under-21 friendlies are all about bringing in lots of youngsters, many from younger age groups, to see how they do.

"I suppose myself and Marc fall into that category and, hopefully, we can both be involved in the European play-off games in May."

Marc, who came on as a substitute with six minutes left, added: "I could play four or five seasons for the Under-21s, so this is all about learning and developing. Before Christmas I was playing youth-team football; now I have made my first-team debut followed by the Under-21s. It's all happened rather quickly.

"It's been a good season. Maybe we can both impress John Toshack next!"

The Wales Under-21 coach, Brian Flynn, was bitterly disappointed with a below-par performance from his side, which was dominated by Under-19 players. "We have two play-off games with Estonia in May and there will have to be a big improvement before then," Flynn said.