FIRST teamers at Barnsley own an impressive array of sports cars and 4x4s. There is even the odd baby Bentley occasionally outside Oakwell.
Reuben Noble-Lazarus gets a lift into training with his mum and dad.
He is too young to earn a wage, never mind own a driving licence.
But his football career has been spectacularly fast-tracked.
At Ipswich Town the night before last, Barnsley boss Simon Davey handed the 15-year-old a place in history.
The Huddersfield born kid's surprise debut for Davey's team made him the youngest ever player to appear in a Football League fixture. It might have come even sooner.
Davey mulled over handing him a squad place for the Carling Cup tie at Crewe in August. Only the rules do not allow 14-year-olds. He is used to being the youngest lad on the pitch; the boy among men.
"We've been playing him in the Reserves as well as the Under-18s," Barnsley academy boss Ronnie Branson explained. "He's been with us since he was about 11, spotted by our scout. He's played against the Manchester Uniteds and the Newcastles right from Under-12s and he'd almost always been the best player on the pitch. That's when you know you've got something special.
"He's quite an unassuming lad, not particularly tall but he's powerful and quick and very, very good on the ball. His potential is tremendous."
Top Premier League clubs already have Reuben on their radar. There have been illegal approaches already.
Branson and Barnsley remain confident that he will join the Oakwell scholarship scheme.
"He's in his GCSE year and through an arrangement made by the academy with his school he comes to us twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays," Branson added. "He's very level headed and we expect him to join us as a first year scholar when he's finished school."
It was back to Newsome School, Huddersfield, after Reuben's 10 minute appearance for Barnsley as substitute for Martin Devaney at Portman Road.
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