Kellie Larkin is bidding to follow in the footsteps of England’s Women’s World Cup heroes.

The 18-year-old from Eastbourne has already represented England under-17s against Spain, Turkey, France, Sweden and Denmark at tournaments in Madrid and Reykjavik (Iceland).

And her performances for the under-17s have taken her into under-19s squad and to the brink of a call-up.

The Bedes, Upper Dicker, pupil also helped Chelsea’s reserve team win the WSL Development League Southern Division for the first time last season and her progress with the Blues was rewarded with a year’s contract extension last month.

But she is not getting carried away with her success says her mother Emma, who has watched her develop since she started playing as a five-year-old when she joined the All Star Soccer Academy.

Kellie, who also represented the England Independent Schools representative side against Australia, has decided to take a year out of education to concentrate on her football.

Her mum hopes her devotion to the game in a football-mad family will see her go on to emulate the likes of Steph Houghton and earn a spot in the Lionesses’ senior squad.

Emma said: “Kellie is so humble and modest she never blows her own trumpet and likes to keep everything low key.

“We as a family are so proud of how she manages to keep up with all her school work studying for her A levels, keeping up with her England programme, travelling to Cobham three times a week for training/matches and not getting home till 11.30pm after leaving for school at 7.30. It is remarkable.

“She also manages to have a part-time job, so proud is an understatement.

“A huge thank you must go to All Star Soccer’s Anthony Storey and Dave Temple as their amazing coaching from a young age has helped get Kellie to where she is now.”