JAY Brown can bend it like Beckham and curl it like Cabaye – yet he is still too young to attend school.
The precocious four-year-old from South Shields impressed his coaches so much that he got to take part in a warm-up game before Sunderland’s Premier League match kicked off against Arsenal last Saturday.
Jay, who could kick a ball as soon as he could walk, has now been invited to train with the Under 6s at the Sunderland Foundation Academy.
He is a member of the Soccer 20 Skills player development coaching programme, which is designed and organised by former Newcastle United starlet Anthony (Anth) Cole.
Jay, who goes to Westoe Crown Nursery in South Shields and lives in Seawinnings Way in the town with dad Wes and mum Marilyn, attends evening training sessions, which are held in Wrekenton, Gateshead, and is the youngest player registered on the programme.
The oldest member is 60, with more than 200 players of all abilities currently developing their footballing skills.
Wes 32, who is also a football coach, said, “Jay is very advanced for his age and is a good technical player. It’s amazing how much potential he has, and I am very proud that this has been noticed.
“It’s a great opportunity, and I knew there was always something special – he could have a big future ahead of him if he keeps going, but there’s a long way to go yet.”
Soccer 20 Skills is a skill-based football training and coaching programme which encourages players to develop their all-round game.
Jay, who supports Manchester United and says striker Wayne Rooney is his favourite player, was invited by Sunderland AFC to play a mini game as part of the entertainment during Saturday’s clash against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.
Anth Cole, who was part of the same Newcastle youth set up as former stars Lee Clark and Steve Watson, and who was tipped for the top until injury cruelly curtailed his career, said: “I am really pleased for Jay and have never seen a player as young as him progress to the level and standard that he is at.
“He is of course still very, very, young and whilst he will learn all the necessary skills such as technical, tactical, physical, psychological and the social aspects of the game, it is important that he still has some fun. His potential has already been recognised in the fact that he has been invited to train with the academy.”
Jay’s dad Wes added: “He is still too young to understand the ability that he has, but the main thing is that he has fun whilst learning, and there are very exciting times ahead for him if he wants to seek a career in playing football.
“We are very proud of him whatever he decides to do, and he is already experiencing fame after Peter Beardsley asked him for his autograph!”
The Soccer 20 Skills programme is available for all ages and sessions are held at Cardinal Hume Catholic School on Old Durham Road, Gateshead, on Mondays and Thursdays, 6pm- 9pm. For more information, contact Soccer 20 Skills on 0191 490 9147 or visit www.soccer20skills.com
