STAR pupil Adam Grange is the latest Sparsholt College Football Academy student to be selected for England Schoolboys under-18s.

From thousands of trialists throughout the country, Grange – a former Portsmouth FC youngster – has made the final 18.

He will join the England Schoolboys training camp at Lilleshall National Training Centre later this month prior to a series of international matches.

With perfect timing, news of his selection arrived the week of Grange’s 17th birthday.

The youngster, who lives on site at Sparsholt, near Winchester, said: “Having been released by Portsmouth FC last summer, I had lost a lot of confidence, but Sparsholt Academy manager Neil Benson and our coach Lewis Benson have installed a new belief in my ability.

“In recent months I have become a more all-round player and I hope this will be the start of an experience that will help me fulfil my goal to become a professional player.“

Grange is a first-year Football Academy student on the Southampton FC Second Chance programme. He combines his football with studying on the BTEC National Diploma course of sport and performance.

The Southampton (Sparsholt) FC lads currently top the Conference Youth League, played on Wednesday afternoons, and compete in a number of other cup competitions and showcase games.

Last year Sparsholt had two players selected to represent England – midfielder Charlie Gunson and goalkeeper Mark Childs.

Academy manager Neil Benson said: “We are extremely proud of Adam’s achievement.

“I am sure, like Charlie and Mark last season, this experience will prove invaluable for his all-round development on and off the pitch.”

For any school leavers interested in joining the Academy there are a number of trial days coming up. Neil Benson should be contacted in the first instance on 07860 150075 or email neil.benson@sparsholt.ac.uk