EXCLUSIVE

MACCLESFIELD Town's Centre of Excellence has pulled off a major coup, with the signing of Wayne Rooney's younger brother, John.

The Manchester United and England star's 15-year old sibling was on Everton's books for five years.

After recently being released by the Toffees, Rooney Junior was snapped up by the Moss Rose youth academy.

He is now continuing to learn his trade under the careful tutorship of John Askey and Mick Holgate.

Macclesfield's scout, Brian Hart, is a former Everton scout and he was contacted by the Premiership club regarding Wayne's little brother.

After watching Rooney closely, Hart suggested to the academy chiefs that he would be an excellent signing, providing he worked hard to improve his fitness.

The Centre of Excellence manager, Mick Holgate, said: "After we'd had a look, we were glad to welcome him on board. The lad can play but he needs to get fitter.

"He is unfit but his ability speaks for itself and he's been as good as gold since joining us. His school, De La Salle in Croxteth, is happy for us to have him with the youth team on Mondays and Tuesdays, at the Centre of Excellence on Wednesday evenings and playing with the Under-16s on a Sunday."

The youngest of the talented family, whose cousin Tommy appeared twice for the Silkmen in 2004, is also enrolled on a joinery course.

His mother Jeanette, a dinner lady at De La Salle, is directing him away from pie and chips and towards pasta-based meals.

Holgate added: "His parents and school have been so supportive, really first-class. We're giving him every opportunity to push through the apprenticeship system and perhaps earn a professional contract.

"Without the youth development set-up, players like Rickie Lambert and today's young players like Jordan Hadfield, Izak Reid and James Jennings, would never have turned out for Macc. Jordan in particular got his opportunity through his strength and determination.

"To succeed, you have to make sacrifices and live your life the right way. Look after your body and it will look after you. These lads do that and, with hard work, John will see the rewards.

"Ability-wise, there's no question that he's good enough. The only problem is his body shape.

"He has been playing up front because, although he prefers to be in midfield, he needs to get fitter to do that."

Holgate is in no doubt that the youth system is imperative to the future of clubs in the lower leagues, adding: "There have been many players who have been sold for good money and many who have made the club very good money.

"Because we're not the wealthiest club around, we've had to develop links with schools' PE departments and a lot of young lads come to the Centre of Excellence via the Youth Development Plan, which is now in its ninth season."

  • NICK Blackman has put pen to paper on professional forms.

The young striker has completed his apprenticeship and signed a Macc contract last week.