Talented James is Apprentice of the Month

Talented Crewe Alex Under 18s captain James Jones has been selected as apprentice of the month in a national competition ‘The 11’ run by the Football Education (LFE).

James was chosen over entrants from clubs nationwide for the excellent progress he has made in both his sport and academic studies and for making a positive contribution to his football club.

James, 17, will be one of 11 football apprentices to go head to head in a national final at the end of the season. He was put forward for the competition by Reaseheath College Lecturers in Sports Performance Nina Ross and Louise Finney,  Head of Education at Crewe Alex Dave Whiteside and regional officer for the LFE Keith Leighton, all of whom were impressed with his all round abilities.

Apart from captaining the Crewe Youth Team James, who lives in Winsford, has played a number of fixtures for the Under 21 reserves. He also coaches the under 12 and under 10 age groups at the Crewe Alex Football Academy two evenings a week.

Apart from his sporting excellence, James is a triple distinction student at Reaseheath College in Nantwich, where he and fellow apprentice study for one and a half days each week.

A former pupil at Hartford High School, James joined Crewe Alex straight from school and is in the second and final year of his scholarship. He is hoping for a professional contract when he completes.

He said: “This competition is a really good thing to be associated with.  It reflects well on me and the club, and particularly on the education the apprentices get.”

Nina Ross added: “We selected James because of his all round achievement and ability to do well. His general conduct and attitude is outstanding in both his academic work at college and in his football training.  And he’s proved through his coaching that he’s willing to put himself out for the sport.”