Tom Ingham is the second Loreto student in two years to be selected for the national under-18s squad. He follows in the footsteps of striker Fabio Abreu who played several games for the National side before being signed for top Portuguese club Maratimo.

The former Loreto High School pupil is studying BTEC sport and was part of the highly successful Loreto College football team which last year won the league and the play-off Northwest finals.

 

His Loreto teacher and coach, Mr Pybus, said he put Tom forward for the first England trials in October and he has since gone through three more trials to win his coveted place.

 

In February Tom will be off for winter training in Spain and will then play a number of international matches including Poland, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland, some of these games will be shown on the Sky Sports Channel.

 

“Tom is a wing back with lots of pace and power, with a good eye for goal,” said Mr Pybus, “he is very proud of representing his country.”

 

“His family have come to watch him play for college and county football teams and are looking forward to seeing him with the three lions on his chest singing the national anthem before the games. Let’s hope his singing voice is as good as his football skills when he’s live on Sky sports!”

 

Tom, who lives in Mossley, has played as a junior at Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers and plays for the Greater Manchester Colleges County team.