England call for Ryman teen star

By David Watters

Ryman Youth League star James O’Halloran is following in the footsteps of England's Chris Smalling after being called up by England Schoolboys U18 for the second year running.

The 17-year-old Maidstone United left winger, pictured, was the youngest member of the Three Lions squad last season when he played in left midfield. This time around he has been selected at left-back and made vice-captain after making it through regional and national trials to earn a place in the 18-man squad for England's defence of their U18s Centenary Shield title.

Like Manchester United's Smalling who was first called up by his country while turning out for the Stones in the Ryman Youth League and won the competition, the teenager is representing England in tournament fixtures against Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland in March and April.

He's just returned from a week's training camp with the Three Lions squad at Manchester United's Carrington training ground and last Friday (March 3) was instrumental in England's first fixture, a 5-1 win over Scotland.

O'Halloran started playing football with Meopham, moving on to Invicta Lions, Corinthian and Bearsted before arriving at the Gallagher Stadium last season. Although he hasn't trained with Maidstone's first team this year, he still plays for the club's U18s in the Ryman Youth League as well as in representative sides for the Kent for the fourth year running.

Maidstone manager Jay Saunders said: “I am delighted for him. It’s great for the youth lads here to see someone from the club do it and it will give them the belief that others could follow. I saw him play last season and we had him in to train with us pre-season and he didn’t look out of place. He’s got a good future ahead of him, he’s someone we’ll keep an eye on and I hope he does really well.”

Image courtesy of maidstoneunited.co.uk

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