York College Football Development Centre goalkeeper Sam Slocombe is hoping to emulate his coach Andy Leaning and current Sheffield United stopper Paddy Kenny.

Ex-York City 'keeper Leaning is also Kenny's coach at Bramall Lane and the pair share a common bond having entered the professional game despite being overlooked as school leavers.

In the modern game's obsession with academies, fewer part-time players are making the step up from amateur to professional but the FDC is keeping that dream alive for several talented players who, for a variety of reasons, have slipped through the net first time around.

Brian Dutton, who signed for Cambridge United, was York College's first graduate into the professional game, while promising striker Alex Rhodes also joined York City earlier this season and is already training with the first team having impressed for the Minstermen's reserves.

Now Slocombe, who was on the books of Scunthorpe United and Lincoln City until the age of 14, could be the next success story having earned a call-up to the English Colleges national squad, which will fly to Rome during the February half-term holiday.

The biology, chemistry and maths 'A'-level student will come up against the likes of China, Romania, Spain, Ghana and hosts Italy, where he will be joined by ex-City favourites Gordon Staniforth and Sean Haslegrave.

York College Football Development co-ordinator Staniforth is the England Colleges' coach. Haslegrave is part of his national coaching team.

Of the tournament and Scolombe's inclusion, Staniforth, who scored 40 goals in two spells with City, said: "The national team just missed out last season and were beaten by a very good Romanian side in the final. We hope to go one better this time.

"Sam has had a great goalkeeping coach and his selection for the national squad is testament to this."

Leaning, who is still based in York, works full-time at Sheffield United, having previously been employed by Scarborough, Chesterfield and Barnsley.

He also helps Staniforth coach the college team on his day off and attends matches on Wednesday afternoons, giving Slocombe valuable advice on his performances.

Leaning, now 42, has his coaching and goalkeeper coaching UEFA 'A' licence, which is a requirement should the high-flying Blades become a Premiership team next season.

He made 86 appearances for the Minstermen between 1985 and 1987, having previously had a trial for the club at the age of 16.

Before his return to Bootham Crescent, Leaning combined working as a British Rail joiner with playing amateur football for York Railway Institute and Rowntree Mackintosh but he went on to give a tremendous display for the Minstermen in an FA Cup fifth round replay at Liverpool.

He then had a trial with Everton and later played for current City boss Billy McEwan at Bramall Lane.

Bristol City also shelled out £12,000 for his services and spells with Dundee, Chester City and Chesterfield followed before his retirement in 2000.

Having been a latecomer to the game, Leaning is hopeful that Slocombe can still pursue his dream of professional football and cites his other current pupil - the highly-rated Kenny - as an example of what can be achieved.

Leaning said: "Sam has had an outstanding season and has been consistently superb. With a lot of hard work he has improved his game and he commands his penalty area.

"He is a brave player and I am pleased to see he has been given a golden opportunity to use his skills.

"My chance came around again and, if he works hard, that opportunity might be there for Sam. Paddy Kenny has done it.

"He came into the game late after playing for Bradford Park Avenue and has done really well in his four years at Sheffield United. He came from Bury for £40,000 and now he's pushing Shay Given for his Republic of Ireland place.

"He's a pleasure to work with. We have had to do a lot of technical stuff to get him up to Championship level but he's absorbed it like a sponge and I've found most 'keepers like being given plenty of work."

Leaning also believes the growing reputation of college football and the York Development Centre could help Slocombe in his quest as the stigma towards players not signed straight from school lessens.

He said: "A lot of people are starting to take notice of college football. We've had Brian Dutton and Alex Rhodes at York and we are trying to encourage links with the club that are a lot stronger."

Slocombe, 17, has been invited to play for City's youth team but his Central Midlands League side Bottesford Town were unable to find a stand-in.

He still harbours hopes,of joining a professional club at the end of his studies. "That's why I came to York College to carry on with my goalkeeping. I still live in Scunthorpe but am staying in digs at York through the week and, hopefully, at the end of this year, I will look for a youth trainee contract at a club rather than go to University.

"I was with Scunthorpe as a youngster and then followed my coach to Lincoln but did not really like it and was travelling there three times a week. Andy has given our team more confidence in our ability and has concentrated on my technique, making sure that's there before we go any further."

Leaning, meanwhile, is also hoping McEwan can bring success back to his former club after the Scottish manager gave him his first big break in the game.

He said: "He is a good coach with a lot of knowledge and did a lot for my career by signing me for Sheffield United. It was a big step for me to play in what is now the Championship but he played me and I took over from John Burridge, which was a bit like being thrown in at the deep end."

Updated: 10:19 Saturday, January 21, 2006