Praise as team reaches national final

MEDLOCK United reached the final of the StreetGames Football Pools Fives and, despite losing, saw goalkeeper Jacob Knowles (fourth from left) named player of the tournament

A TEENAGE Oldham footballer was ecstatic when England under-21 manager Gareth Southgate named him player of the tournament at a national competition.

Jacob Knowles is the goalkeeper for Medlock United — a team of eight 16 to 19-year-olds from Fitton Hill and Hathershaw. They faced teams from all over the country at St George’s Park national football centre in Burton-Upon-Trent, in the finals of the StreetGames Football Pools Fives tournament.

Jacob impressed the watching Southgate despite Medlock falling short of the title — losing to Yorkshire team Palestine Allstars in the men’s final. Ex-England defender Southgate handed Jacob his medal

The team spent the weekend being put through its paces by football stars such as England women’s players Sophie Bradley and Rachel Yankey, former England boss Graham Taylor and ex-Wales striker Nathan Blake. Around 220 young men and women took part.

Southgate, national ambassador for the StreetGames Football Pools Fives, said: “Congratulations to Jacob. I couldn’t have been more impressed with his ability and also with his attitude on the pitch. He was a very worthy player.”