EIGHTEEN-year-old Radcliffe lad Tom Aldred is the Football League One apprentice of the year.

The centre back is captain of Carlisle United’s youth team and recently represented the Scotland under-19s team who were beaten 3-2 by France in Paris. He qualified to play because his mother Julie is Scottish.

The Bolton-born youngster has lived in Radcliffe all his life and is a former pupil of Farnworth St James School and, although he has yet to make his first team debut for United, he is a regular in the reserves.

He started playing football for Ringley park Rangers before moving to Bolton-based Chew Moor Brook (CMB) and it was there that his talent was spotted by scouts from the Blackburn Rovers academy.

Coaches at the academy then recommended him to Carlisle United.

Aldred is one of only three youth team players to have been offered a full-time professional contract by Carlisle.

Aldred picked his award up at a prestigious ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel and his father Michael is a proud as punch. “The boy just loves playing football,” he said. “He has never wanted to do anything else from being a youngster and he’s clearly made an impression in Cumbria.

“He’s living in digs up there, but comes home whenever he can. We’re really proud of him and what he has achieved so far.”

Carlisle spokesman Andy Hall said: “Tom is a tall, strong, uncomprising central defender but is also very skilful on the ball.”

He writes a weekly blog for the League Football Education webiste.