FORGET what you see on Footballers' Wives, a local player has proven he has brains as well as ball skills.

Former Preston College student Clark Carlisle scored the title of 'Britain's Brainiest Footballer' after appearing on a one-off television quiz show.

The contest, broadcast last week on ITV1, pitted Clark against fellow players including World Cup winner George Cohen, all answering questions posed by celebrity host Carol Vorderman.

And Clark proved he had the know-how by taking the title after three gruelling rounds.

Preston born Clark, 22, studied for a GNVQ in Advanced Leisure and Tourism while training with Blackpool FC.

He was among the first students to take part in the Professional Footballer's Association scholarship provision, a scheme created to allow young footballers to continue their education alongside their sports training.

The high-flying defender completed the college course on day-release from Blackpool, and made his debut for the Seasiders in 1997.

Mick Noblett, responsible for footballing scholarships at Preston College said: "Clark was very intelligent and hard-working.

"He regularly helped out his less academic peers and he was very confident and popular with students as well as staff members."

It didn't take Clark long to be noticed by clubs across the country, and he was soon transferred from Blackpool to Queen's Park Rangers for £250,000 in 1999, scoring his first goal for the London club in only his second game.

And Clark's dream came true when less than a month later he was selected to play for the England Under-21 team.

A knee injury put the talented young player out of action in January last year, but he is due to make his return this month.