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ENGLAND COLLEGES: HOW THEY’VE THRIVED SINCE

28 November 2018

The England Colleges call-ups for Charlie Wickham and Hamza Semakula makes it an incredible 10 internationals in three years, for Boreham Wood and Barnet and Southgate College, but who are the others?

We take a look at the Colleges internationals of the previous three years and how they have developed since.

A Premier League academy defender, two first team regulars, and three who were handed squad numbers this season, once again showcases the opportunities that lie within the PASE Academy.

Sorba Thomas was part of a trio of England Colleges call ups in the 2016/17 campaign and has now become a first team regular at Meadow Park.  

The versatile winger broke into the Wood first team at the start of the season, after a number of substitute appearances last year, including in the Promotion Final at Wembley.

A solid performance against Slough Town in pre-season impressed the gaffer and the PASE Academy graduate has since become a key member of Luke Garrard’s squad.

Thomas has featured up-front, in centre attacking midfield, and at wing-back for the Wood this season, making 20 appearances so far.

Fred Burbidge was another called up in the 2016/17 campaign and has followed a similar path to Thomas.

A goalkeeper known for his fast reactions and shot stopping ability, Burbidge also has an accomplished distribution range.

Since his time with the Colleges, Burbidge has continued to impress the Wood coaches, playing a key role in the academy triumphs last year, which included the ‘Champion of Champions’ trophy.

The now 19-year-old was a regular in the first team matchday squad last season and made his debut in the Herts Senior Cup against Stevenage, when he was the hero in a penalty shootout win.

The stopper also came on in our prestigious pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace and enjoyed a productive loan spell with Dunstable earlier in the season.

Ben Goodliffe was the third and final Colleges call-up in the 2016/17 season and has since followed a different path to Thomas and Burbidge.

An old-fashioned style centre-half, the 19-year-old is further proof of the opportunities within PASE. After breaking into the Wood first team that season, he earned himself a move to now Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Goodliffe went on to captain the Wolves academy sides, before joining National League rivals Dagenham & Redbridge on loan this season, featuring 17 times so far.

Last season saw the Wood break records, with an incredible five internationals in the England Colleges squad.

After impressing for the Three Lions, creative midfielder Iliman Ndiaye has since earned himself a first team squad number, featuring on the bench several times this season.

He continues to play a key role in the under 19s and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Thomas and Burbidge.

Alex Morgan led the line for England and was handed an opportunity to impress on loan earlier in the season at Northwood. The young striker started brightly, but his progress was curtailed by a short-term injury.

Now fit again, Morgan is impressing in the under 19s and may look towards another loan spell. He has also featured on the Wood bench this season.

Morgan’s striker partner for both club and country, Daniel Creese, continues to score in the under 19s at an impressive rate.

Another who was handed a squad number this season, Creese starred for Team GB at the famous Maccabiah Games in Israel.

A traditional poacher, short in stature but with pace to burn, Creese will be looking to build on his appearances on the first team bench.

Winger Cheyce Grant has continued his development in the Wood’s under 19s side this season, playing a key role in their dominance in National League U19 Alliance league.

The side currently sit top of their table, with an incredible goal difference of +45. Grant has chipped in with a number of goals for the side, including a superb free-kick against Romford, in the cup.

Archie Pepper was the final of the Colleges five last year and has since departed, but not before playing a key role in their success last season.

A midfielder with a keen eye for a pass, Pepper was pivotal in helping the academy to a league and cup double, which included winning the famous ‘Champion of Champions’ title.

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