Who is Matthew Crowther? Award-winning north-east lad unearthed and handed West Brom start by James Morrison

The Baggies boss used two different sides in each half with 22 players featuring, including a handful of youth-team players and graduates less familiar with Albion supporters.

Among them was a place in the starting line-up for midfielder Matty Crowther.

Crowther played the first 45 minutes as Morrison’s men went in at half-time with a 2-0 lead over the Owls, with Krystian Bielik and Jimmy-Jay Morgan on target.

Who is Albion teen handed start in first summer friendly?

Midfielder Crowther was one of five youngsters from Albion’s academy to be handed a start against Sheffield Wednesday.

But just two of those - Crowther and defender Jamal Mohammed - are yet to make their first-team debut.

Crowther, who does not turn 19 until December, is the player with the least exposure around the senior set-up, as well as the youngest, to be given the nod from the off against the Owls.

He is now away with the Baggies senior ranks on pre-season tour in Portugal.

A rangy, left-footed midfielder, the teen was unearthed by Baggies boss Morrison, then an academy coach, in the 2023/24 campaign.

Crowther hails from the Sunderland, the same north-east region as Morrison, though it was something a bit more out of the ordinary that made the move happen.

The 6ft 3ins midfielder’s grandmother is a close friend of Morrison’s mum and the family connection made the move happen three years ago, when Crowther checked in at under-16s.

He had only been playing Sunday league football in the north east before the family asked Morrison to “give him a chance”. He played for Silksworth CW Juniors on Wearside.

He signed a scholarship deal that summer and was quick to make inroads at under-18 level initially and then in the under-21s, then managed by Richard Beale.

Crowther netted a memorable goal at The Hawthorns in one of his first games at under-21 level while still aged 16. The summer of 2024 saw the midfielder named the club’s academy player of the season. He helped the under-18s to an FA Youth Cup quarter-final.

He was rewarded for an outstanding campaign with a first professional contract 12 months ago, which runs until next summer.

Crowther’s first full season for the under-21s saw him clock up 12 Premier League 2 appearances and a further five in domestic cups, as well as continental runouts in the Premier League International Cup. He was sidelined from before the Christmas break until March through injury.

What has been said about Crowther?

Beale, then under-21s boss who has since left for Villa, told the Express & Star two years ago: "In this instance it was Mozza. He is from where Mozza's from and he knows him, I think as a family friend. It's absolutely brilliant from Moz to get him in because he's a real find and good lad.

"So not only was Mozza a top-drawer player, he is a top recruiter! It came about through James Morrison's contacts up north.

“He's another with real potential. His goal was fantastic, he strode on to a second ball, brushed off a player three or four years older, played a through ball, kept going and got his rewards.

"I'm really pleased for Matt. He runs further than anybody in the games and training and is developing nicely."

Morrison, then standing in as interim boss after Tony Mowbray’s exit, explained the move a little over 12 months ago.

He told the Express & Star: "He's close to my family. His grandma and my mum were best friends and close together.

"His mum text me - typical mum - 'oh Matthew's really good, he hasn't had a chance yet, can you get him a chance?' So I said 'why not?'

"So he came down and never looked back. He's a lad who from a young age has wanted to be a footballer. He's really focused, does everything properly and since he was a young lad he's trained like a demon to get where he is.

"He's ticked one off the ladder, he's got a few steps to go now. I'm sure he will be working hard to get there.

“Sometimes you don’t have to be in an academy. You never know, a manager might take a shine to him. He's still developing and growing into his body."