Matthew’s GB honour

The 16-year-old St John Fisher pupil will play for Great Britain Under-17 Catholic Schoolboys team, against teams including Holland and Brazil in July.

Matthew, who plays for Howden Clough and lives in Cleckheaton, attended trials at Leeds Carnegie along with 90 other boys.

Matthew has played football since the age of seven, with his dad David and grandad, also David, taking him to matches and training.

He has represented the Spen Valley and West Riding County representative sides and he has also had trials with Huddersfield Town and Bradford City but to be selected to represent Great Britain is by far his biggest achievement to date.

Central midfielder Matthew must raise £650 before May 3 to fund the trip and his family are appealing to anyone who may be able to sponsor him to get in touch by e-mailing Matthew’s dad at [email protected] or telephone David on 07920 796562.