A STACKSTEADS schoolboy is celebrating after he landed a scholarship at Accrington Stanley FC.

Jack Hartley, a year 11 pupil at Fearns Community Sports College, played for the League Two side’s academy for three years and has been rewarded with a two-year deal.

The 16-year-old winger, who has already appeared for Stanley in this season’s FA Youth Cup, will balance his footballing ambitions with a place at Accrington and Rossendale College.

Jack thought that his dreams of a scholarship had been shattered by a recent injury when manager Dave Fitzgerald called him into the dressing room with his mum, Diane.

Jack said: “I thought at first it all might have been over because I was injured.

“Then he said they were offering me a scholarship.

“My mum was crying in the car on the way home, she got really emotional because she was so happy for me.

“My mum has taken me everywhere for matches and even dropped me off for training every day during half-term and then gone on to her work.”

Jack, who also played for Bacup Borough’s youth teams, will now find himself cleaning the boots of Stanley’s first team stars, managed by ex-England striker James Beattie.

He said: “I had trials in a few different places but I didn’t like them and I felt I didn’t fit in with the players.

“At Accrington it is really friendly and I have learned so much. People are always happy to answer any questions and I have been given great opportunities.

“After the two year scholarship I hope to become a professional. I live and breathe football.”

Nigel Dawson, headteacher at Fearns, said: “We are delighted for Jack’s success.

“And we wish him every success for his future career.

“He has worked exceptionally hard to achieve this scholarship and I am sure he will be a name to watch out for in the future.”