Two of the emerging talents at the Oxford United Academy are celebrating international call ups.
Goalkeeper Eddie Brearey has completed a remarkable first year as a scholar at the club by being called up for the England Men’s Goalkeeping Development Camp.
Eddie, who has been on the bench for the First Team this season and trained regularly as part of the First Team covid bubble, will join the training camp this Sunday at the National Football Centre at St George’s Park
The camps have been running for over a decade and allow the England coaches to work with emerging goalkeepers such as Eddie.
Jordan Pickford, Joe Hart and Dean Henderson are among the keepers to have attended similar camps earlier in their careers.
The following weekend will see Monty Marriott join up with the England Under 15 squad at St George’s Park for a three day training camp of their own.
Monty, who has already been part of the Under 18 squad this year despite still being only 15, is another goalkeeper to emerge at the U’s and Academy Manager Dan Harris told us:
“You look at the goalkeepers at the club and Simon Eastwood and Jack Stevens set a fantastic example to all of our young players, with Wayne Brown a mentor to the whole group. Kie Plumley has done well with the Under 21 squad and is currently with the First Team, then Eddie is coming through with the Under 18s and Monty is pushing through from the younger age groups - he is not the only one, there are some fantastic goalkeepers all the way through our programme.
“For any player to receive international recognition is a wonderful achievement and it’s a reward not just for the two lads but also for their parents and families because this has been such a tough year for everyone and hopefully this shows the benefits of doing the right things, working hard and finally earning a reward.
"We hope it pushes both players on even further and who knows what the future holds for them because they are outstanding young men with very bright futures.”