ONE cheeky looking lad has his face painted with a St George’s flag while others proudly show off schoolboy medals.
But these adorable photos aren’t of youngsters dreaming of emulating their footie heroes – they ARE the Three Lions, snapped playing the beautiful game as youngsters.
Ahead of tomorrow’s last 16 clash against Slovakia, Robin Perrie and Nick Parker spoke to the players’ former clubs – who have sent their own good luck messages.
Harry Kane Bayern Munich & Ridgeway Rovers
RIDGEWAY Rovers in Chingford, East London has produced not one, but two England captains – with Harry, 30, following in David Beckham’s footsteps.
Chairman Ian Marshall said: “I really hope we go on to win this with Harry Kane taking a lead role.
“When he wears that armband he’s a true leader for England. He has that ability to raise his game that extra five per cent.
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“Harry means such a lot to us here, but he’s a player to be celebrated by the whole country now.
“The kids here love to see Harry do well and he’s a tremendous inspiration for youngsters coming up through this club.”
Jude Bellingham Real Madrid & Stourbridge Juniors
THE way Jude, who turns 21 today, has taken La Liga by storm with Real Madrid, shows he was destined to be a star – and not just as a footballer.
At Hagley Cricket Club, Worcs, an 11-year-old Bellingham stood out.
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Club chairman Mark Baker, 71, said: “If he had focused on cricket, he could have gone far in the game.”
But football was always his first love and he showed he has always been up for the cup when he posed for a pic with the FA Cup as a kid with non-league Leamington FC.
Club chairman Jim Scott, 68, said: “What struck me about young Jude, even at that age, was how remarkably mature he was.
“Forget about Jude the footballer, Jude the young man was very well brought up with great manners and great standards.”
Bukayo Saka Arsenal & Greenford Celtic
THE 22-year-old flying winger played his first game at Greenford Celtic FC, in West London, before moving to Arsenal’s academy.
The original club no longer exists and it later became Celtic- 1995 FC.
Chairman Albert Tamou said: “We’re very proud Bukayo started at our club and has gone on to achieve such great things.”
John Stones Man City & Penistone Church FC
JOHN, 30, stood out the first time he played for Penistone Church FC, aged seven, in Barnsley.
Club secretary Dave Hampshire recalled: “When he joined Penistone it was clear that he had something extra – he had an awareness about him.
“When we see Penistone Church FC next to his name it gives the club a boost.
“We wish him the very best at Euro 2024.”
Kobbie Mainoo Man Utd & Cheadle And Gatley Juniors, Adam Wharton Crystal Palace & Moorland Academy
IT wasn’t long ago that England starlets Adam, 20, and 19-year-old Kobbie were enjoying junior football games in Lancashire.
The gifted midfielders may yet play a huge role for England in their first senior tournament, after playing for Moorland Academy in Clitheroe and Cheadle And Gatley Juniors, in Stockport, respectively.
A Moorland spokesman said: “It’s difficult to put into words how over the moon we are about what Adam has achieved.
“We wish him every success.”
And Cheadle And Gatley Juniors said they were “so proud” to see Kobbie in the England squad.
Coach Steve Vare said: “He wasn’t one of these young lads that might be a little arrogant – he was very quiet and he’d let his football do the talking.”
Aaron Ramsdale Arsenal & Kyle Walker Man City, both Sheffield United Academy
SHEFFIELD United Academy manager Derek Geary knew both Aaron, 26, and 34-year-old Kyle when they were youngsters.
Aaron’s prowess between the sticks singled him out as a special talent, while Kyle’s electric turn of foot caught the eye.
Derek said: “I could see straight away that Aaron was going to make it as a professional.
“Not just because he was talented, but his character was outrageous.
“He was bubbly and full of energy, but he was obsessed with being a goalkeeper and loved being at Sheffield United.
“Kyle was very, very fast.
“He was very determined, very outgoing, full of energy and ultra-ambitious.
“He suited the modern day full-back position.
“There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that he was going to go on and have the great career that he has.
“They are both now an inspiration to the current players here because they see pictures of them around the Academy.”
Phil Foden Man City & Reddish Vulcans
NEW dad Phil, 24, dazzled even as a youngster for Reddish Vulcans in his home town of Stockport.
A club spokesman said: “Even at the age of seven his control, movement and change of direction were frightening.
“He would leave players trailing.
“It’s a wonderful knowing that Phil played for us.
“He’s inspired a lot of children in our community and we are honoured to say that he was once here.”
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace & Cray Wanderers
ENGLAND’S stand-out defender, 23, at the Euros once played for Cray Wanderers in South East London.
CEO Sam Wright said: “It’s fantastic to have a guy who played in our under-7s and under-8s now representing England at the Euros.
“We’ve been blown away by how well he has done.
“After the Iceland friendly I worried whether the big stage might be too much for him but he’s been absolutely magnificent.
“Even when he makes an error he makes sure he recovers and clear the danger.”
Jarrod Bowen West Ham & Leominster Town
THE little lad with the face paint and the St George’s Cross hair do is now a millionaire Premier League star with West Ham United.
And he’s also dating arguably England’s most famous Wag – Love Islander Dani Dyer.
But for the 27-year-old winger it all started at Leominster Town FC, in his home town in Herefordshire.
Club chairman Andy Barrington said: “I am incredibly proud that Jarrod made it into the England squad for the Euros.
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“It’s a momentous occasion for him, for our club, and our entire community.
“His journey from a grassroots footballer at Leominster Town to an international star is nothing short of inspirational.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
