Future’s in John’s safe hands!

The 17-year-old Haslingden keeper recently returned from international duty with England where the national team reached the Under-19 World Cup semi-final in Sri Lanka.

And the ultra-confident teenager already has his eyes on becoming Lancashire's first choice keeper and ultimately the England Test team's custodian.

It's been a meteoric rise for the gloveman from Ramsbottom who fell in love with the game as a child and made his Lancashire League debut at the age of 10 in his dad Jack's final game.

He's represented Lancashire and England at every level but played the biggest game of his career in the winter.

But despite a humbling 234-run defeat at the hands of the Indians in Colombo, Simpson looks on it as a fantastic stepping stone to greater things.

"After losing 11 games out of 11 in Bangladesh, the squad was very flat," he said. "But with four new guys coming in they were so excited. "it gave everyone a lift and to get as far as we did was fantastic, especially as we beat Bangladesh in the quarter-finals."

England beat Nepal and then Northern Ireland but lost to Zimbabwe to set up a quarter-final against the Bangladeshis.

"We were massive underdogs going into the game," he added. "We wanted to play Bangladesh rather than Pakistan because we knew they would under estimate us. In Bangladesh, they were quite arrogant so to win by five wickets was amazing."

Despite the initial elation, the reality of life on the sub-continent was brought to bear.

He said: "When we went out for the presentation, six or seven of their lads were in tears. Their coach told us that the lads playing for Bangladesh are all aiming at the upcoming 2007 World Cup and by getting into the squad it can change their families lives forever because the money they get for playing for Bangladesh is quite a lot in their terms.

"Although you're happy you've won, you feel really down because if they have a bad game it could harm the families life. It's an experience you can't explain."

The Sky TV cameras were present when England and India faced off in the semi-finals but it was a day to forget for England's young lions.

The Indians set England 293 to win. But they were bowled out for 58 in a disastrous run-chase.

But despite the defeat, Simpson added: "I was pretty satisfied by the way I performed in the tournament as a whole. I was really pleased with the way I kept but I didn't get much opportunity to bat. I'm happy to say that I gave 100 per cent on every day I played.

"The biggest factor for me is that I know I can compete against the best under-19 cricketers in the world either with the gloves or the bat despite being just 17 and one of the youngest players in the tournament."

But with the season fast approaching, Simpson is looking forward to a fruitful campaign with Haslingden.

He's been a fixture in the Bentgate side for the past few seasons but he remembers his debut with particular fondness as a 10-year-old.

"Someone went down ill and I'd taken my whites along and just managed to get a game," he said. "It turned out to be my dad's last game so I got to stand next to him at first slip with our sub pro at the time David Capel (former Northants and England all-rounder) at second slip. It ranks as one of the proudest moments of my life and my dad's as well.

"He has been instrumental in my success. We sit down and set targets and then it's down to me to try and hit them.

"The backing of my whole family has been huge. My mum (Karen) and dad have been a massive influence but my grandpa Jack has been just as influential. They all did a lot ferrying about and it's something I will never forget."

But the ambitious gloveman is aiming high and is determined to follow in the footsteps of his hero and mentor Warren Hegg.

Lancashire legend Hegg, who retired at the end of last season, was behind the sticks for the best part of 20 years and played two Tests for England, and Simpson is aiming to do better.

"Warren was one of my heroes and if I'm as good as him I'll be more than satisfied. My main aim is to play for England and hopefully I can emulate him but just play a few more Tests.

"It's great for us that he's still involved in the game. He's still so passionate about Lancashire Cricket Club and he's set the benchmark for the keepers now.

"Warren started at the same age as me and he broke into the first team within a year and the rest is history."

He added: "Two or three years down the line and if nothing's happening at Lancashire then maybe I'd have to look to move on. If the options right to move to another county then you've got to take it. I'd prefer to do it at Lancashire but there's plenty of cricketers who have moved county's and played for England.

"There can only be one wicketkeeper in a team and you have to make sure that you're the best."