Garrod!
Jun 11 2005, 05:49 PM
He describes Wayne Rooney as his favourite football player and now 14-year-old Victor Moses could be following in the Manchester United players footsteps.
The 14-year old Whitgift School student is being tipped for success after earning rave reviews for his breathtaking performances this season.
Victor, who is on Crystal Palace's books, recently scored all five goals in Whitgift's 5-0 victory against Healing Science College, Grimsby, in the FA English Schools' Cup final which saw the school bring the trophy back to Croydon.
But Victor's rise to prominence is even more remarkable because of his troubled background.
He arrived in Britain from Nigeria, where his parents died in circumstances that are unclear, and was classed as an asylum seeker. He is now happily settled with foster parents and has won a bursary to attend the independent Whitgift School in Haling Park, South Croydon.
Under the guidance of ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Colin Pates, and former Palace player John Humphrey, who are football coaches at Whitgift, Victor has emerged as one of the most precocious talents in the country.
Mr Pates said: "He is by no means the finished article and there is a lot of hard work to be done. I've coached at many clubs including Arsenal and he is by far the best player I've seen of his age."
Despite the adulation, a level-headed Victor is fully aware of the task ahead of him if he is to fulfil his ambition of becoming a professional footballer.
Victor said: "It feels good when people praise me but I know I've got a lot of hard work to do. I now just want to keep it up and work hard in training."
Victor scored 10 goals on his debut for Crystal Palace's academy and has gone on to score more than 50 this season, but he is quick to acknowledge his team mates.
He said: "My team mates are fantastic they always support me. It's all about the team not me. I know I have got to keep my feet on the floor and not get big headed."
Victor has already equalled David Beckham this season after scoring from the halfway line and says his favourite goal of the season was a free kick for the Eagles against West Ham, but he is in no doubt what the highlight of his season was.
"It was just the best experience to play at the Walkers Stadium Leicester City FC, it was the first time I've played at a stadium like that," he said. "It was great."
Colin Pates is now looking forward to seeing Victor fulfil his potential but stresses the importance of Victor's studies.
He said: "It is important for Victor to perform not only on the pitch but academically as well. So many players don't make it professionally so it's important to have an academic background
My (generally) unreliable mate said that his brother goes to school with him, and Dowie has had him training with the 1st team squad :woot
5 in a National Final?? OMG
The 14-year old Whitgift School student is being tipped for success after earning rave reviews for his breathtaking performances this season.
Victor, who is on Crystal Palace's books, recently scored all five goals in Whitgift's 5-0 victory against Healing Science College, Grimsby, in the FA English Schools' Cup final which saw the school bring the trophy back to Croydon.
But Victor's rise to prominence is even more remarkable because of his troubled background.
He arrived in Britain from Nigeria, where his parents died in circumstances that are unclear, and was classed as an asylum seeker. He is now happily settled with foster parents and has won a bursary to attend the independent Whitgift School in Haling Park, South Croydon.
Under the guidance of ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Colin Pates, and former Palace player John Humphrey, who are football coaches at Whitgift, Victor has emerged as one of the most precocious talents in the country.
Mr Pates said: "He is by no means the finished article and there is a lot of hard work to be done. I've coached at many clubs including Arsenal and he is by far the best player I've seen of his age."
Despite the adulation, a level-headed Victor is fully aware of the task ahead of him if he is to fulfil his ambition of becoming a professional footballer.
Victor said: "It feels good when people praise me but I know I've got a lot of hard work to do. I now just want to keep it up and work hard in training."
Victor scored 10 goals on his debut for Crystal Palace's academy and has gone on to score more than 50 this season, but he is quick to acknowledge his team mates.
He said: "My team mates are fantastic they always support me. It's all about the team not me. I know I have got to keep my feet on the floor and not get big headed."
Victor has already equalled David Beckham this season after scoring from the halfway line and says his favourite goal of the season was a free kick for the Eagles against West Ham, but he is in no doubt what the highlight of his season was.
"It was just the best experience to play at the Walkers Stadium Leicester City FC, it was the first time I've played at a stadium like that," he said. "It was great."
Colin Pates is now looking forward to seeing Victor fulfil his potential but stresses the importance of Victor's studies.
He said: "It is important for Victor to perform not only on the pitch but academically as well. So many players don't make it professionally so it's important to have an academic background
My (generally) unreliable mate said that his brother goes to school with him, and Dowie has had him training with the 1st team squad :woot
5 in a National Final?? OMG