Second teen star gets England call

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League AFC Fylde have another England international in their ranks, writes Chris Park.

Just a few weeks after striker Ryan Charnley was called up to the England Schoolboys squad for the International Centenary Shield campaign, the Coasters are celebrating the success of Jack Williams, another youth team star. Also a striker, he’ll soon be adding more international caps with England Colleges to his footballing CV.

While Charnley has already broken into the Premier Division club’s first team squad, 17-year-old Williams, pictured, has yet to make his Coasters debut. He’s already made a big impact on the international scene though after setting up England’s winning goal against Australia’s Schoolboys two weeks ago at Sutton Coldfield Town’s Coles Lane ground.

The teenager is now set to play in a number of upcoming games, including an international tournament in Italy, and Coasters manager Dave Challinor has been giving him some sound advice following his call-up.

AFC Fylde’s manager said: "Jack has a tournament in Italy to look forward to which will no doubt be the highlight of a really exciting year for him and I can only imagine the time he will have.

"The advice from me has been to treasure every moment, these are memories that will live with him forever and for such a young lad to get this opportunity is fantastic. Everyone at the club is delighted for him and again, really proud."

He added: "To have one player selected to represent their country is great, to have two at one club side is unbelievable and thoroughly deserved for Jack as well. All my previous comments about Ryan stand for Jack as well.

"Jack is slightly different in the fact he hasn't broken into the first team squad yet, largely due to circumstances beyond his control, but I'm really hopeful he will figure for our development squad between now and the end of the season and train with the first team on a regular basis."

AFC Fylde’s youth team Manager Simon Hurst is also delighted for his player, currently his top goal scorer in their North West Youth Alliance Division One campaign.

"Jack was my captain at school through Years 10 and 11 and he was always at Preston North End," said Hurst. "I just assumed he would be signing for them at the end of school and go on to be a full time scholar. I never even entertained the idea that we would be lucky enough to have him as part of the youth set up.

"Luckily I persuaded him to play a few games for us last season as an U16 and after his shock release from PNE he signed on with us. He has been our top goal scorer all season and what he may lack in height he makes up with in terms of desire, attitude and heart."

He added: "Jack is by far the most complete player I have worked with and he is a class lad along with it too. I'm sure he will go on to have a successful career in football and I hope AFC Fylde can play a large part in that."