Seventeen year old central defender George Mitchell has been put forward for the England Schoolboys’ side following some impressive performances for his Kent County schools side.

The six foot two classy defender has been nurtured at VCD by the current Under 21s manager Ricky Bennett who, along with Vicker’s boss Paul Foley, managed to convince George to sign for the Vickers at the age of 15.

FA Vase Winner Bennett was then manager of the Under 15s VCD side assisted by the VCD first team captain at the time Paul Foley when Mitchell came to the club for a trial.

Following a discussion between Foley and the Mitchells (George and father Colin) at the beginning of the 2007/08 season George decided to sign forms with the promise of first team football in two to three years (George had previously been at Ebbsfleet).

Mitchell followed fellow 16 year old Tom Bradshaw even quicker than envisaged becoming a regular reserve team player and then also became a first team player at 16 alongside Bradshaw and fellow teen prodigy Uche Ibemere.

George managed to pick up Kent League and Kent Senior Trophy winners medals in his first senior football season earning his full debut for the first team during the Vicker’s title winning campaign of 2008/09.

Mitchell made his full debut in March 2009 with a memorable display in a fine 4-0 win away to Greenwich Borough that swung the title VCD’s way.

Having played regularly for Kent Schools Under 18s this season, their manager put George forward for the England Schools Under 18 trials which were held last Saturday 31st October at Yeading FC while his VCD team-mates played down the road at Potters Bar FC securing 3 points with a fine 2-0 win.

The trials consisted of the cream of the counties in the South East region of England.

Mitchell has been invited along to the next round of trials which see the South-East take on the South-West as the selectors whittle down their squad. Vicker’s boss Paul Foley told www.vcd-athletic.co.uk ‘The whole first team squad are delighted for George and wish him all the best in his trial games.

I spoke to him at the weekend and he felt the first trial went really well so hopefully he will make it through to the final round.

Whatever happens the club are very proud to have someone being put forward for the international schoolboy side which is a major feather in our cap and shows how well the youth system is working here.

We have been working really hard with Ricky Bennett, Terry Groom and the junior managers to make sure we are bringing the lads through in the right way.

Both Dean Frost and myself have been working hard on the VCD Youth Charter and Dean has completed plenty of pre-match coaching sessions as well as helping the managers with tips for their sides.

Things like this make all the effort worthwhile. It has improved dramatically over the last 2 seasons and with five seventeen year olds involved in our recent 4-2 win over Thamesmead and four involved in the Potters Bar 2-0 win, VCD is proving to be a place where young players can learn the game.

Whatever happens at the trials I am really chuffed for George, his dad Colin and also for Ricky who brought him down in the first place at 15 enabling me to corner him until he signed for us!’

VCD are at home this Saturday to Ware FC in the Ryman North where potential international Mitchell could return to Foley’s ‘Vickers Babes’ squad.

The atmosphere at Oakwood will be enhanced by yet more youthful footballers as the Junior Reds Under 7 side will be carrying out ballboy and mascot duties as well as competing in the half time penalty contest.

Oakwood, Old Road Crayford, Kent DA1 4UN – home of the famous hooped Vickers www.vcd-athletic.co.uk