Colchester United schoolboy midfield ace Angelo Harrop is facing the chance of a lifetime tomorrow when he travels to Wales for youth international trials.

Harrop, 13, a pupil at Colchester's Gilberd School, will be among more than 100 young hopefuls at Aberdare, Mid-Glamorgan, looking to earn a place in the Welsh Under-14 squad.

Angelo, son of Geoff Harrop, the U's Assistant Director of Youth Football, qualifies for Wales because his mother Kay's father Gerald Davies is Welsh.

U's youth chief Micky Cook said: "Angelo is a very talented lad. He is not the biggest in the world, but it's what he can do with the ball that counts and the Welsh FA have picked up on his skill and invited him along for his big chance.

"It's not only a great honour for the lad, it's also another big feather in the cap for Colchester United's thriving Youth Development programme for which former manager Steve Wignall must take some credit for helping to set up."

Angelo will go to Wales with the best wishes of the U's former Welsh international Geraint Williams who allowed the boy to try on one of his shirts and caps for size.

Williams said: "My advice to young Angelo is to go and enjoy himself, savour the occasion and don't try to be too clever.

"If he's got what it takes there will be enough coaches there to spot it."

If the cap fits - U's player-coach Geraint Williams lets Angelo Harrop try on his Wales international cap and shirt.

Picture: NIGEL BROWN

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