YORK College sport and exercise students Issie Spray and Zoe Belding have been selected for the 24-strong English Colleges Football Association squad.

The pair, who previously attended Selby High School, play for York College's Football Development Centre, as well as for the youth set-ups at Manchester City and Doncaster Belles respectively.

They earned their ECFA call-ups after impressing at two training camps last year and in a trial match against the Independent Schools FA team which ended in an 11-0 victory.

Their selection also brings further kudos to the Sim Balk Lane establishment, after its head of women’s football, Gaz Lee, was appointed to the English Colleges women’s team's coaching staff. Former students Rosie Todd, in 2016/17, and Hannah Greenwood, in 2015/16, also earned national call-ups.

Spray and Belding can now look forward to fixtures against the Welsh Schools FA and Bristol City Ladies and a trip to Spain to compete in the Costa Blanca Cup playing against RCD Espanyol, Valladolid, Joanenc, Vic Riuprimer, Itaroa Huarte, Gimnastic Manresa and CD Amigo.

They said in a statement: “This is such an amazing opportunity for us and we are really looking forward to it.

"Our families, friends and tutors are proud of our achievements and they have been very supportive.

"The fact the ECFA programme is recognised by the Football Association is amazing and we have had national team scouts come and watch our trials and games so far - really opening the door for us to be recognised at England level.”

Lee, also a York College Sports Development Centre coordinator, said: “Zoe and Issie are tremendous ambassadors for the centre.

"They are continuing the success of the women’s football programme at the college, with four players over the past three years being selected for the ECFA national squad."