A Bedale High School pupil has just completed a successful year at the Sunderland FC U13 Academy.

Jason Pollock (pictured above), who is about to start in year ten in September, is captain of the school and area football teams. He trains twice a week at the academy in Sunderland and plays matches for the club on Sundays.

His annual report from Brian Buddle, the head of education at the club, compliments Jason on his determination and attitude and praises his self motivation.

It adds that Jason, who lives at Leeming Bar, has tremendous powers of recovery and has quickly adapted to the standards expected at a professional club. He plays in the same team as former Sunderland captain and crowd favourite Kevin Ball's son, Luke.

Jason, who also excels at rugby, cross country and athletics, is looking forward to the opening next year of the multi-million pound Academy of Light training headquarters which the club are building at Whitburn.

He has already started training with Sunderland for the forthcoming season, when he will be representing the club at U14 level.

Martyn Coombs, head of PE at Bedale High School, said: "It's a long hard slog for any boy wanting to make the grade as a professional footballer and many fall by the wayside.

"Apart from his undoubted ability, Jason always listens to advice and wants to succeed. Who knows, one day he could be running out at the Stadium of Light".