Jack Hartley has his feet firmly placed on the career ladder after winning a two-year scholarship at Accrington Stanley.

The Year 11 Fearns Community Sports College student earned the deal having been with the club’s Academy since he was 13 years old.

Jack, 16, from Stacksteads, said: “I have been playing for Accrington Stanley’s Academy since I was 13. At first I was in the under 14s team and now I play in the under 18s and the youth teams.

“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.”

He injured his neck in his last match and was in the dressing room when the manager Dave Fitzgerald asked him to bring his mum Diane to see him.

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

The scholarship means Jack will now be paid and he will also be studying at Accrington and Rossendale College one-and-a-half days a week. But it will not all be glamour, he will also have to muck in to look after the first team players – including cleaning their boots!