Teen star crowned best in county

8 Apr 2017 By David Watters

Shortwood United's teenager midfielder Jack Freeman will have had an extra spring in his step in the EVO-STIK League Southern on Saturday after being named U18s Player of the Year by the Gloucestershire FA.

The 17-year-old was crowned this week as one of the county's emerging stars ahead of United's trip to Paulton Rovers in EVO-STIK League Southern Division One South & West.

The former Forest Green academy star arrived at Meadowbank earlier this season before quickly breaking into the first team plans of Woods manager Alex Sykes.

Gloucestershire FA spokeswoman Sue Henson-Green said: "The Simon Ford Trophy is given to the player who has not only impressed on the pitch but off as well. Jack has been a credit not only to the county, but his club and his parents."

County coach, David Iles, who also worked with the teenager at Forest Green, added: "I have had the pleasure of coaching Jack for the last five years, where he has been my captain. He is clearly a talented individual who has worked incredibly hard in his own time to improve key elements of his game.

"He is a born winner and it has been a pleasure and a privilege to have had the opportunity to coach him."

Image courtesy of stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk

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Where next?

Saturday's Premier Division action review With most teams having just three matches left to play, there are still plenty of issues to settle yet in the EVO-STIK League Southern's Premier Division following Saturday`s round of matches, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Friday night's Premier Division action review Stratford Town made it three wins from their last four matches in the EVO-STIK League Southern's Premier Division on Friday night with a 2-1 win to increase Hayes & Yeading United's fears of a second successive relegation, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.