Young goalkeeper Dan Rose has helped Everton’s academy team storm its way to victory in the Premier League International Finals Tournament at the FA’s St George’s Park.
Manchester Grammar School (MGS) pupil Dan, 13, from Wilmslow, only conceded one goal during the tournament as they beat Benfica and Arsenal in the group stages and then Chelsea in the final.
Everton were only one of six English Premier League Academy teams to qualify for the finals, beating Manchester City, Manchester United and Stoke City in the group stages.
Dan, who is also captain of the MGS year eight football team, said: “I was absolutely delighted that our team achieved this success and it was an incredible feeling for us all to have won the trophy. We played some of the best teams in Europe and managed to win.”
Dan’s participation in the tournament followed on from another fantastic achievement last autumn, when he was put forward for regional trials to the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) North West squad, and was subsequently selected as their goalkeeper.
Mark Walmsley, Director of Sport at MGS, said: “Dan has always shown a real commitment to his football, dedicating a lot of time and effort to improving his goalkeeping skills and maturing as a player within the school team thanks to his coaching at Everton FC.
“This win is truly deserved and we are extremely proud of his achievement. Dan is a real credit to MGS.”
