Defender Kieron Freeman makes a mark in Nottinghamshire

Freeman made his Notts County debut against Bournemouth on 14 January

Defender Kieron Freeman has joined a small group of footballers who have played for all three Nottinghamshire rivals - Nottingham Forest, Notts County and Mansfield Town.

But what makes his feat so special is that the Nottingham-born 19-year-old appeared for all three sides in successive weeks.

After playing for the Stags in the last game of his loan spell on New Year's Day Freeman made his first start for his parent club Forest in their FA Cup draw with Leicester City.

The defender then made a and made his Magpies debut in their 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth, but Freeman had not clicked he had made a bit of history.

He told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I only just realised when my dad told me 'you will probably be a trivia question one day'.

"I didn't really have a clue but we had a little laugh about it."

Freeman joins an elite group of players including striker Trevor Christie, goalkeeper Darren Ward and defender John Thompson.

After impressing in the Forest youth academy, the teenager was named in the first-team squad for a Carling Cup tie with Bradford in August 2010.

He was an unused substitute as the Reds were beaten by their lower-league opposition.

Freeman continued: "Originally under Billy Davies I got my chance to be on the bench, that was against Bradford.

"I thought I might have got a little 10 or 20 minutes there, just to get used to that environment.

"I finally got my chance under (Steve) McClaren. I played a few pre-season games but that was not at my favoured position. I played centre-midfield. I enjoyed it but it was new to me.

"I was on the bench against Wycombe and he (McClaren) gave me 20 minutes. I came on left wing and really enjoyed it.

"I knew from then I want to be playing matches. I want to be playing in front of crowds.

"All my family are Forest fans. It is still surreal for me. To represent any club is a big honour but to play for Forest is great.

"I have been at Forest since I was eight. To go out and play for your boyhood team is the greatest feeling."

Freeman made his full Forest debut against Leicester last Saturday

Freeman made nine appearances in his two-month loan spell with Mansfield in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

"I have to give a lot of thanks to the Mansfield gaffer Paul Cox for having the guts to take me on board," he said.

"They want to get into League Two and most managers want to play their most experienced players to get there.

"For him to take a chance on a 19-year-old lad, I owe him so much.

"It was great to put on a shirt and know you were playing for a win. You want to win and get up the league.

"All the boys in that team want to get out the Conference so it really means something.

"It was a great feeling when you win a game and get used to the pressures. That's the type of experience I need to boost me on as a player."

Following his FA Cup starting berth in Forest's 0-0 draw with local-rivals Leicester City, Notts County boss Martin Allen came calling and he played in League One against the Cherries last Saturday.

"When I got told I was going to Notts I was chuffed to bits. It was surprising that a League One club wanted me and that I was starting."