A BUDDING young goalkeeper has netted a place in the England Under 15 squad - and could now play in some of the world's finest stadiums.

Leyland schoolboy Michael Bingham could find himself playing in front of 55,000 fans at Old Trafford in April as well as appearing at Wembley Stadium and grounds in France over the next couple of months.

The international fixtures will be a far cry from the early part of the Wellfield High School pupil's career, spent playing for AFC Ribble on park grounds throughout South Ribble.

The 15-year old Blackburn Rovers player said: "It has still not sunk in.

"It will be brilliant if I can play in the France international which is at Old Trafford because the organisers are hoping for a 55,000 capacity crowd."

Michael visited Lytham last weekend with the rest of the squad to pick up his new England kit.

PLAYING rugby for England at Twickenham in front of 20,000 people is most people's dream - but a rising local star would rather turn out for the North of England.

Seventeen-year old Stephen Borthwick, of Cop Lane, Penwortham, has played Rugby Union for his county and his country but on Saturdasy he represent his region.

The Hutton Grammar School student said: "I have played in front of 20,000 people but this is better.

"Each time you are picked you are stepping up. It is brilliant to be picked ahead of people who are older than me."

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