A NEW star is born, and his name is Josh Carson.

A NEW star is born, and his name is Josh Carson.

The Carson family had arrived in Ipswich, en masse, from Northern Ireland, hoping to perhaps catch a glimpse of their 17-year-old Josh in action, probably from the bench.

And yet they ended up witnessing a landmark day for Town’s teenage winger.

Carson was handed his third successive senior start by manager Paul Jewell, and he obliged by scoring a brace of sweet goals in Town’s 2-1 home win over Crystal Palace.

It was certainly worth the trip, and the air fare, for all his family. They had a weekend that will live long in their memories.

“There were eight Carsons at the match, so there should be a bit of noise in the town later on,” enthused Carson.

“Mum and Dad, my sister, two Aunties, an Uncle and two friends of my Mum and Dad were all here.

“I’ve been playing recently, so they came over hoping that I might be on the bench or something like that.

“But to get a start and score two goals is just a bonus, a big bonus.

“I couldn’t have imagined the day getting any better for me, unless I had scored a hat-trick.

“Words cannot explain what I feel at the minute. I just need my head to stay the same size now, I can’t blow out. I must keep my feet on the ground,” added Carson.

Antrim-born Carson, a Northern Ireland Under-21 international, broke the deadlock with a cross-cum-shot from the right-edge of the penalty box on 38 minutes – he has insisted that it was a shot!

And the former Academy star tucked home the second in the 66th minute, bundling home the loose ball following a corner. Palace defender Patrick McCarthy halved the deficit in the 73rd minute, but the Eagles could not fashion an equaliser.

Carson is deeply indebted to manager Jewell, who gave him his debut out-of-the-blue in the previous home game against Scunthorpe, and kept him in the starting line-up at Burnley.

In fact Town, who up to 13th in the Championship table, have won their last three games with Carson in the side.

“The gaffer has been a big influence on me. He put the will in me and told me that I had the ability to be here,” admitted Carson.

“He started me in a game (against Scunthorpe) that I thought I had no chance of starting in.

“He’s put the will in me and told me I am good enough. He has been brilliant.

“I couldn’t ask for anymore from a manager. He gave me my senior debut, which was fantastic.

“He was the one who took the risk to put me in there, and I think I fulfilled it,” added Carson.

In the first of a two-year contract at Portman Road, Carson has also gained notoriety for having the job of cleaning the manager’s boots.

“I haven’t really been doing them that well. I’ll still clean them, but I’ll let my football do the talking,” added Carson.