Ford has eyes on BBC prize

TALENTED fly-half George Ford has been shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award.

The Rishworth School pupil and son of former Oldham Roughyeds player-coach, Mike, is among 10 rising stars in line for the coveted prize.

George, who played junior rugby league for Oldham St Anne’s, Saddleworth Rangers and Waterhead at one time or another, was the youngest player to take part in a professional union club match when he appeared for Leicester Tigers at the age of 16 years and 237 days in an LV=Cup game at Leeds Carnegie earlier this month.

He first appeared for England under-18s at 15 and is expected to join up with the national squad again next month before they face Australian Schools.

Oldhamer Mike, who is the England RU defence coach, said: “I’m surprised and very proud to hear George had been nominated for the award and he’s the only player in a team sport on the list.

“It’s a great accolade for him. Sometimes you take for granted what he’s accomplished so quickly in the game but this underlines what he’s achieved so far.

“Of course he’s still got a long way to go but he’s started playing for England three years young and he’s still got two more years at under-18s level.”

The BBC’s shortlist includes athletes of the calibre of World Championship winning diver Tom Daley, junior US Open tennis champion Heather Watson, solo round the world yachtsman Mike Perham and Paralympics swimming champion Eleanor Simmons.

The top three will be selected by a panel of judges on November 23 and the winner announced live on the Sports Personality of the Year show on December 13.