JOSH Morris won’t be fazed by Valley Parade bumper crowds next season – after making his pro debut in front of nearly 75,000 fans at Manchester United.

The 23-year-old is as excited as everyone else in Phil Parkinson’s squad at the prospect of performing at home in front of heaving partisan audiences.

It is a major step-up from Fleetwood, where the winger spent last season on loan with average attendances at Highbury of just 3,522.

But for Morris, his earliest experiences thrown in at Blackburn will not be surpassed for sheer weight of numbers.

Then an untried 19-year-old, Sam Allardyce threw him on in the second half at a crammed Old Trafford. It was a dream moment for the born-and-bred United fan – apart from the fact Rovers were getting tonked 5-0 at the time he replaced El Hadji Diouf.

“We lost 7-1 in the end but I set up our goal so I’ll take that,” recalled Morris. “It was a surreal experience.

“Even to this day, it doesn’t get much better than that for me as a Man United fan. It was a great experience despite the score.

“Then I played against them the following season on New Year’s Eve and we won 3-2.

“I came on in the second half when we were 2-1 up, they then equalised but we won it late on so that was pretty special.

“My dad and brother have always been United fans. They were in the crowd and I had a few mates dotted around – I’ll never forget it.”

But opportunities at Ewood remained few and far between and Morris had to look elsewhere for games on loan. Finally, an extended spell with Fleetwood gave him the week in, week out action that he needed.

He said: “The change of manager at Blackburn didn’t help, although I don’t want to make excuses. I just wanted to play regular football.

“I was playing in the reserves at 17-18 so when you’re doing it again at 19-20 you’re almost past it. It was miles different playing in front of a crowd.

“It really matters if you win because there are jobs on the line and lifestyles to provide for. I really enjoyed playing regularly with Fleetwood and hopefully I’ll get the chance to do the same here.”

Morris, who was in the same England squad as Billy Knott for the under-20s World Cup in Colombia, is eager to visualise a vibrant Valley Parade after season-ticket sales hit record levels.

He had a taste of it last season with Fleetwood when they sneaked a draw from 2-0 down with two late goals.

“It was great that day playing in front of the big crowd, especially when we came back and managed to get the point late on.

“A few of the Bradford lads have already asked me how they didn’t win that game! But it’s one of those you get during a season.

“The difference playing here compared with at Fleetwood is massive and that’s one of the reasons why I wanted to come.

“To sell over 17,000 season tickets in League One is huge.

“I’ve been on loan at Fleetwood for near enough 18 months now and that was a big step for me playing regular league football.

“Now I’ve got a permanent deal, it’s a big chance for me to impress and put a marker down. There were a few other clubs interested over the summer but as soon as Bradford came around my decision was made.”

Phil Parkinson has praised the wideman’s positive approach and willingness to have a crack at goal. Eight goals last season was a tidy return in a side that were one of the division’s lightest scorers.

Morris added: “I do like to have a shot. I try to be positive whenever I get the ball, whether that’s creating or scoring goals, and hopefully I can show that here.

“It’s a really good squad – I found that when we played them last year for Fleetwood. There were threats all over the pitch and I’m glad they’ll be on my side now.

James Hanson has already told me to keep putting the ball on his head.

“It makes my job a lot easier as a winger knowing that I’ve just got to put the ball in the right areas and hopefully he’ll be on the end of it.”

With the big crowds comes high expectation. Morris is well aware that a large audience will be a demanding one but he welcomes the added pressure.

“Everyone wants to be in the top six,” he said. “This club deserve to be in the Championship and that’s the ambition, to get there.

“I think that expectation is a good thing. You can’t afford to rest on your laurels and have to be fired up for every game.”