EMMA Bradley has got a keen eye for goal - but it is keeping the ball out rather than sticking it in the back of the net.

The 13-year-old goalkeeper has earned an England ‘call-up’ after she was recently selected for the FA ‘s National Elite Performance Squad following a successful trial.

But if dad Richard had got his way, his daughter would have been playing outfield rather than starring between the sticks.

The St Augustine’s High School pupil joined Blackburn Community Sports Club where she played outfield under the wishes of her dad.

But it was the one weekend when Richard could not make a game, when Emma got her wish after volunteering to go in goal.

She hasn’t looked back since.

“Emma was always wanting to go in goals but I told her she should concentrate on playing outfield where she was also a very good footballer,” said Richard. “It was on the one weekend I wasn’t there that she got her chance to go in goal and the rest is history.

“It just goes to show what I know!”

After a couple of seasons with the Lammack-based club, Emma joined Blackburn Rovers centre of excellence and she has come on in leaps and bounds.

She was a member of the Lancashire Under 15s squad that were crowned national champions after beating Essex in a penalty shoot-out.

Emma, a Manchester United fan, rates England keeper Joe Hart as her inspiration but also fellow Rovers keeper Amelie Size who earned a call-up to the Wales squad.

“It’s funny being a United fan and having a City player as her hero,” added Richard. “But Emma doesn’t see it like that, she sees Joe as an England player!

“But it is Amelie who has been a real help. She earned a call-up of her own and has helped Emma come on at Rovers.”

Richard days that Emma - who is a real sporting all-rounded and a brown belt in ju-jitsu - wants this to be the beginning rather than the end.

“Some players might be happy just to make the squad but Emma wants to use this to go even further,” he added.

“She wants this to be the beginning of her journey and not the end.”