BUDDING soccer star star Chris Whittle has been hand picked to join Blackburn Rovers FC as an apprentice.

Chris, 15, knows the selection could lead to a career as a soccer star but he is keeping his options open.

"I'm studying for ten GCSEs at the moment," he revealed. "Hopefully I will get good results so there is always something to fall back on."

The modest teenager has been with the club and trained at the Centre of Excellence at Leyland since the age of 11 when he was spotted by Rovers scout Colin Fairhurst.

He has gone on to represent Blackburn Rovers in Perth, Scotland, playing against Scottish, Russian and Australian sides. Now, he is set to play centre half in the Under 16s side after finishing his exams at All Hallows High School in Penwortham.

Mr Fairhurst said: "Chris has tried hard and given it everything he has got.

"An apprenticeship at Blackburn is a great opportunity - we have the best training ground and great coaches."

Chris, of Studholme Avenue, Penwortham, hopes to follow in the footsteps of his hero Colin Hendry.

His mum, Vicky and dad Mark, a former referee, are justly proud of their son.

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