Gareth Southgate is helping inspire a new generation of footballers at his old school.

Hazelwick (Crawley) have enjoyed success in competitions this season and produced players for professional clubs.

Nick Pritchard, a Sussex Schools player, has taken his first step towards emulating the progress of World Cup defender Southgate with an England under-16s call-up.

Paul Boxall, head of PE, said: "There is no doubt Gareth is an excellent role model for all our youngsters with the way he conducts himself and what he has achieved.

"They can identify with him. Knowing Gareth Southgate was at Hazelwick inspires them.

"Seven or eight of our under-13s linked up with Charlton, where Steve Avory, one of Gareth's old teachers, is involved in the youth academy set-up.

"The under-15s reached the Sussex Schools final for the third year. They've also made the North Sussex final which has been held over until next season because organisers ran out of time to play it.

"The girls under-15s side is developing and they won their North Sussex trophy."

Boxall is a striker who helped Burgess Hill to three County League titles and counts Worthing, Lewes, Horsham YMCA and Withdean among his former clubs.

He said: "I believe, apart from Chichester, we are the only school in Sussex to play football every Saturday during the season.

"We play more than 100 matches each season. We might just produce another Gareth Southgate."

Pritchard will attend England trials, run by the FA for non-academy players, at Keele University in August.

He said: "It's a fantastic boost at the end of a really good season for me. I helped Sussex share the South East Schools' Cup and captained my school team.

"It motivates me to know that Gareth was just like me at my age. Hopefully I can follow in his footsteps. Afterall, he was a midfielder like me when he was younger.

"I'm not linked with a club at the moment but I'd love to be a professional footballer.

"Gareth is one of my favourite players. He is very good and solid with a clean image. He has also shown a lot of character, coming back with England after that penalty miss in Euro 96."

Pritchard's favourite player is Roy Keane, although he declined to comment on the former Irish captain's expulsion from the World Cup after a bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy.

Instead he is looking forward to watching England defeat Sweden in their opening World Cup group match on Sunday when a Hazelwick old boy just may play a part.