Exeter City goalkeeper Christy Pym has thanked the fans for supporting his development, as the shot-stopper took his tally of first-team appearances in all competitions past 100.
Christy, a product of Exeter City's glowing academy eclipsed the 100 milestone after the Grecians 2-0 victory against Forest Green Rovers at St James Park on Wednesday, January 31, a match where the young keeper kept his 10th clean sheet of the season.
Christy, 22, was handed his first professional contract at St James Park in April 2013 at the age of 18, and made his debut for the club the following season in a 3-2 victory over Southend at Roots Hall on February 15, 2014. He became City's first-choice keeper towards the end of that campaign.
Since the 2014/15 season, Christy had been in and out of the team, being hit with injury problems and battling against more experienced keepers for the position. The young shot stopper forced his way into the team during the 2016/17 season, producing a string of impressive performances which resulted in being rewarded with the No. 1 shirt for the 2017/18 season.
Speaking about the milestone, Christy said: "It's massive. I've watched Exeter all my life, and played here all my career. It's a big achievement. You want to play for your home town, do well, you want to get promoted with them.
"I think this season I've been consistent, playing week in week out, how I want to be playing.
"100 performances means I can start to say to people i'm first-choice keeper and a first-team player. Before that when you're not quite at 100 you're still a young player that is still in and out of the team."
Christy was keen to stress the important role the fans at St James Park have made to his development. He said: "The fans have been excellent with me. I've made mistakes in my past and they've never got on my back or given me any stick for it. They have supported me through thick and thin and I appreciate that.
"The club is known for bringing through youth players. The fans will always give a young player who has come through their youth system more time to develop and adapt."
Christy has put in consistent performances this season, which has been rewarded with 10 clean sheets. When asked if he was happy with this total, he said: "I'm happy with the 10 clean sheets so far. Obviously as a keeper you want to keep 20-odd clean sheets or not concede a goal, but that isn't realistic.
"I set myself the target of keeping 15 this season, something the club hasn't done over the past few seasons."
Christy, on the back of a strong January, was voted the fans' Player of the Month' sponsored by Hawksmoor Investment Management.
The shot stopper claimed two clean sheets during January and made a host of impressive saves, including a Hal Robson-Kanu penalty in front of the TV cameras as City took on Premier League West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup.
Speaking on the award, Christy said: "It's nice to be recognised. It means the fans are appreciating my performances which is always positive."
Christy kept a clean sheet against fellow promotion contenders Coventry City on January 13, making a late close range save, which was his highlight of the month.
He said: "That was a big game and my favourite of the month. It was a clean sheet and a big 3 points against a promotion rival."