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- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
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- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
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- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
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- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
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- North Devon see off Paignton chase
TORQUAY’S 15-year-old all-rounder Neal Osborne might not play that much cricket from now on after signing for Premier League soccer side Southampton.
Osborne, who is 15 and attends Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, has been playing in Torquay’s 1st and 2nd XIs this season.
Two weeks ago he skippered the 2nd XI in the final of Aaron Printers Narracott Cup T20 competition – easily the youngest player to lead a side into the final.
Osborne, who lives with parents Paul and Jill in Kingskerswell, has been attached to Torquay United’s youth academy for some time.
Premier clubs – not just Southampton, but others thought to include Aston Villa and Norwich – have been keeping tabs on the talented young goalkeeper for a while.
United put Osborne in their U18 side last season, which stimulated a bit more interest in him.
Southampton were always first in the queue and once they made United and the Osborne family and offer it was inevitable he would end up there.
“Southampton first looked at me about a year ago, and asked me for a trial.
“Having been up there has given me a taste of what the professional game is about.
“They say the work starts now, and that’s fine by me.
“I know it will be hard, but I am willing to put the work in.”
Geoff Harrop, the football clubs’s head of youth, predicted a bright future for the shot stopper.
“Neal is talented, grounded, enthusiastic and his character is exactly what Southampton are looking for,” said Harrop.
“Torquay Boys’ Grammar School have been fantastic, not just in helping Neal’s career but also in the way they’ve looked after him.
“I’m a huge fan of his mum and dad, who have kept his feet firmly on the ground.
“And the coaching staff at our Academy deserve a lot of credit for bringing Neal through in the way they have.
“He couldn’t be going to a better club.
“Southampton have got a great reputation for developing young players – you only have to see what they’ve done with Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw to see that.”
