Moreton lad gets football scholarship (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Moreton lad gets football scholarship

MARK Magee has made Cotswold sporting history by becoming the first player from Moreton-in-Marsh's youth football club to receive a professional soccer scholarship.

Bristol City have given Mark, 16, a two-year scholarship.

The speedy striker was a member of Moreton Rangers' original under-eight team when the club formed in 1997.

Mark comes from a football family: his grandfather, Pud Hardiman, played for the now defunct Moreton Town and his father, Steve, is Rangers' first-team goalkeeper.

His mother, Tina, is on Rangers' committee.

He attended Moreton's St David's Primary School and played for the school's team from about the age of six.

Mark has also played for the school team at Chipping Campden School, which he currently attends.

After playing for Cheltenham District, he went on a three-day trial offered by Manchester United, meeting the club's legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, at its Carrington training ground.

Restricted by a hamstring injury, he failed to make an impression and was not signed.

He then spent eight months with Manchester City, during which he met the club's famous manager, Stuart Pearce.

This time, a ligament injury prevented him impressing and he was released.

Several other clubs then inquired about Mark, who chose Bristol City because they were the first to make contact.

He will spend the remainder of this season playing for Bristol's under-16 team before starting his scholarship next season.

Mark has already played for the under-16s against the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, who he used to support and who Bristol beat 7-2.

Having scored 10 goals in 14 under-16 games, he made his debut for Bristol's under-18s in a 1-0 defeat of Fulham.

Mark thanked Rangers' coaches, Martin Newman and Brian Millard, for launching his career.

He said: "I've always loved football. I've always had a ball at my feet. I want to go all the way in the game and if you want something, you have to go for it. If you get told 'no', you have to keep working hard."

Mark's 12-year-old brother, Matt, is following in his footsteps: he is already the top scorer for Rangers' under-13s.