SPARSHOLT College Football Academy is celebrating another call-up to the England under-18 schoolboy squad.

Ryan Penny is the fourth player in as many years to successfully get through the final ESFA trials, following in the footsteps of Charlie Gunson, Mark Childs and Adam Grange.

The central midfielder, currently in his second year at Sparsholt, said: “The trials took me out of my comfort zone, but I thoroughly enjoyed the process and am thrilled to have been selected.

“Famous footballers, including Michael Owen, have played on the ESFA schoolboys team, so I’m in the best company and it’s a fantastic platform to help me get to where I want to be in my future career.”

Football Academy coach Lewis Benson was thrilled for Penny, stating: “We’re incredibly proud of Ryan here at the college.

"Not only is it an amazing personal achievement for him, but it’s the fourth consecutive year that we’ve celebrated our students being selected for the ESFA U18 squad.”

Sparsholt College attracts students from across the globe - and the Football Academy course is no exception.

Students have jetted in from as far away as Australia and Bermuda to join the Second Chance Elite Academy programme, being run in partnership with Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth for the first time this year.

“To have another player reach the final stages of the England schoolboys trials and be so successful in our first year in partnership with AFC Bournemouth is fantastic news,” said Football Academy manager Neil Benson.

“Our coach Lewis has worked closely with Ryan, mentoring him on a one-to-one basis and supporting Ryan in his successes, both on the pitch and in the classroom.

"So for Ryan to reach heights in the footballing industry shows the exceptional standard offered by Sparsholt’s Football Academy course.”

Learn more about the Football Academy programme at Sparsholt College, including the AFC Bournemouth Second Chance Elite programme at the College’s upcoming Open Day, Saturday 3 February 2018, 10am-2pm. Register now: www.sparsholt.ac.uk/opendays/.

Alternatively, contact Football Academy manager Neil Benson to enquire about specialist football Open Day on Tuesday, February 13, on 01962 797442 or at Neil.Benson@sparsholt.ac.uk