PROUD parents Roy and Sue Collins got a shock when they were taken on a stadium tour of Portman Road yesterday with other academy players' parents – they saw their son's first-team shirt hanging on a peg waiting for his debut, writes David Vincent.

PROUD parents Roy and Sue Collins got a shock when they were taken on a stadium tour of Portman Road yesterday with other academy players' parents – they saw their son's first-team shirt hanging on a peg waiting for his debut, writes David Vincent.

Sixteen-year-old central defender Aidan Collins is still at Highlands High School, Chelmsford and does not have his 17th birthday until October.

But Joe Royle has decided to put him on the bench for the First Division game against Wimbledon.

Mum Sue Collins said: "It was such a shock seeing the shirt hanging there, Collins 20, we weren't expecting that. It has D Bent next to it and Gaardsoe the other side."

Dad Roy Collins said: "It is absolutely fantastic. It has all happened so quickly these last few weeks. We have been up here every day this week."

Mum Sue was bringing Aidan and younger brother Jordan, 14, for schoolboy training a month ago when she was told Aidan was needed for the reserves.

"Malcolm Moore told me to turn round and go to Portman Road. This is unbelievable," she said.

The parents spent many an evening ferrying their sons to and from Ipswich Town for training.

Mum added the car is almost on autopilot when they are on the A12, and dad Roy said: "Aidan is very dedicated. He hardly has a weekend off during the football season. And when we can't get him here he comes up by train."

Collins was one of eight new Academy scholars who gathered with their parents at Ipswich for the Academy induction day yesterday. Some of the players will be involved with the Under 17 play-off game at Crystal Palace today.

But Collins will be staying at Portman Road.