It's a family affair!

Footballing brothers Anthony and Daniel are treading such a similar path that they could both end up playing for Football League clubs.

Anthony, 19, is already on the books at Stockport County and has made an instant impact with the League Two club after signing just before Christmas. Younger brother Daniel is also attracting attention with a number of league clubs keenly monitoring his progress - including Stockport County.

And should the 17-year-old follow Anthony to the Sedgley Park club it would complete a remarkable chain of events.

For the boys went to the same school, played for the same Akzo Juniors team - a club founded by parents Neil and Sandra - studied the same course and won top honours for the same college side and played for the same Non League club.

And when Daniel represents Great Britain in the Catholic Games in Hungary later this month, he will become one of only a handful of players to have achieved that feat twice. One of those elite few' just happens to be his brother Anthony!

"It's fantastic that Daniel appears to be following in the footsteps of Anthony," said dad Neil who managed both players when they played for Akzo Juniors. "To go the same school and play for the same junior club is quite common but to have played for the same college team and Non League club makes it that bit more unusual.

"When Anthony played for the Great Britain team twice, the coach said he would never do that again. So it is great credit to Daniel to be picked for a second time because he showed the coach that he just couldn't leave him out."

The second GB call-up is the latest in a long line of similarities between the brothers. They both started playing for Akzo Juniors, went to St Bedes High School and both studied National Diploma Football Studies at Myerscough College where they helped there respective teams to glory - and briefly played together before Anthony moved on to Stockport.

The pair also played Non League football for Atherton Colleries where manager Phil Brown was also head coach of football at Myerscough. Brown has since moved to Kendall where Daniel will start the season.

But despite their careers seemingly taking the same path, Neil is quick to point out that Daniel becoming a professional footballer is no foregone conclusion.

"I think the fact that Anthony is already at Stockport is a help for Daniel. Clubs know what Anthony is capable of so it is natural they will be interested in a younger brother who has similar talents.

"The Stockport County manager Jim Gannon has already shown interest but Daniel knows how difficult it is to make it. He might just have to play the game of his life and hope that someone is watching."

The Game of Your Life reference refers to Anthony's own magical moment when he scored a hat-trick for Atherton Colleries against FC United that catapulted him in to the big time.

"Clubs were already interested in Anthony but when he scored that hat-trick, Stockport County moved quickly before other clubs could make their move."

It was a fairytale start for Anthony who made his debut at Wycombe Wanderers on December 23, scored on his home debut against Notts County and netted three times in his first five games.

He finished the season with five goals and quickly earned himself a new contract as County agonisingly missed out on the League Two play-offs on the final day of the season.

Anthony, who is preparing for his first full season at Stockport County, said Daniel's progress is great news for the family.

And he admitted he would love to get the chance to play in the same side as his brother should the opportunity arise.

"We played in the same side together a few times when we were in college but it would be great to play in the same team at a higher level.

"We do support each other and I hope he can follow me in to professional football."

Like any typical pair of brothers, Daniel revealed there is sibling rivalry between the two.

"I want to do what Anthony has done but only better," he joked. "I'm really pleased to be playing in the Catholic Games for the second time because that is what Anthony did."

Daniel said he has been inspired by what is older brother has done and is ultimate goal is to follow him to a professional club.

"What Anthony has done has made it a little easier for me but, just like when he scored that hat-trick, I need my big break.

"But I want to play professional football and I would love to one day play in the same team as Anthony."

Parents Neil and Sandra would also love to see that day both for pride and practical reasons.

"The two lads have always supported each other and will go and watch each other play when the can. But when they are both playing, I have to go and watch one play while Sandra goes to watch the other.

"If they played in the same team then we could all go together!"

And judging by the way their careers have gone so far, then that day is probably not too far away.