Sam Barratt has been a busy young man this week, taking part in a three day training camp for the England C team under the watchful eye of former Stevenage Borough and Barnet manager Paul Fairclough.
The former Woodley United and Bracknell Town winger currently flying high in the National League with Maidenhead United was training at Lilleshall as part of a 22 man squad that will be whittled down to 16 for an International Challenge Trophy match with Slovakia u23.
Barratt tweeted: “So it’s been an honour to have been called up for England C team. Three day training camp was a great experience. Loved it”
So its been an honour to have been called up for England C team. 3 day training camp was a great experience. Loved it ⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/wity1dbHx5
— Sam Barratt (@SammyboyBarratt) October 10, 2017
The youngster has had trials with EFL League One side Bristol Rovers and Premier League Crystal Palace in recent seasons as he looks to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
What is the England C team?
The team was known previously as the National Game XI and England Semi Pro national team and is made up of the best English players who ply their trade outside of the Football League
They regularly play under 23 sides with recent fixtures against the likes of Ukraine and Turkey.
The Three Lions are currently playing in the 105/17 International Challenge Trophy where they’ve beaten Ukraine and Estonia and lost to Slovakia.
Who would I recognise from the squad?
Bracknell Town supporters of a certain vintage may recall left back Leon Solomon from the Byron Walton era – ‘Solly’ picked up an England C cap against Finland in 2007.
Other notable players to pass through the C team and earn caps are Cardiff City strikers Lee Tomlin and Omar Bogle, Sheffield Wednesday midfielder George Boyd and Barnsley full back Andy Yiadom.
Arguably the most famous graduate in recent years though is Watford and former Burnley striker Andre Gray who earned six caps and scored two goals between 2012 and 2014.
Main image: Sam Barratt in training for England C. Photo: David Loveday.
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