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Second chance for keeper

21/11/2002

TALENTED Middleton student Peter Collinge is bucking a family tradition by following a career in football instead of rugby.

The goalkeeper and Hopwood Hall College scholar is now having trials with Oldham Athletic.

The 16-year-old Manchester United fan believes his career could be back on track after his release by Stockport County last season.

He said: "I am really enjoying my football again after what happened last year.I was gutted when I was allowed to leave Stockport. It was everything to me. But things look like they are on the up."

Peter is the great, great, great grandson of Welsh rugby league international Thomas, who played for Oldham for 12 years from 1897, and the great grandson of former international rugby referee and groundsman Dickie Thomas.

Peter's dad, Stuart, also played rugby in the 1980s. But even he could not persuade his son to take up the 13-a-side game.

"I suppose a goalkeeper is the nearest thing to a rugby league player," he said. "At least he uses his hands. But Peter has always been more interested in football."

Peter, who stands at 6ft 3in, plays for Burscough under 18s and hopes to join the professional ranks in the future.

He is studying an AVCE Level 3 in Soccer, Leisure, and Tourism at Hopwood's Middleton campus, and would consider applying for a scholarship in the US if his ambition to become a full-time footballer does not work out.

Stuart added: "Peter's distribution is very good, and he is an excellent shot stopper.

"His physique also makes him an imposing figure for opponents."

The football coach at Hopwood Hall, Chris Robinson, added: "He is doing really well. He is the best keeper we have had here, so he has a good chance as anyone to make it professionally.

"He is also doing very well with his academic studies, which is very important at this time in his career."