FORMER Rufforth parks player Brendan Ledgeway is living the American dream as a US college football record breaker.

Goalkeeper Ledgeway took his place in the University of Montevallo’s history books after going 529 minutes without conceding a goal during the season that has just ended.

One-and-a-half years into his scholarship and finance degree studies at the Alabama institute, Ledgeway has also been recognised with a number of awards and representative honours.

Having been named the University’s Soccer Rookie of the Year, the 23-year-old shot-stopper also received a National Player of the Week prize for division two level in October and, at the end of a season in which he kept 11 clean sheets, was selected as the top ’keeper in the 2011 NCAA Division Two All-South East region.

In addition, Ledgeway made the second XI of the representative side for the whole South-East area, having conceded an average of just 0.85 goals per game.

The former Heworth-based Royal York Hotel fitness instructor’s Stateside success is made all the more impressive by the fact he only started playing between the sticks regularly at the age of 16 and, four years ago, was minding the net in the York & District League for Rufforth.

Now 23, Ledgeway credits former York City goalkeeping coach Pete Glanville for encouraging him to fulfil his potential, having played for Marske United in the Northern League, on loan from Whitby Town, before flying across the Atlantic.

About his progress since, Ledgeway said: “I was very pleased to be recognised in the representative sides because we got knocked out at the first stage of the national competition and did not have the best of seasons as a team.”

The English ’keeper, though, attracted attention for the highest number of clean sheets in Montevallo’s division, while the record-breaking 529-minute run also encompassed victories over two top teams.

Ledgeway has already received offers to play in the US Premier Development League this summer for teams in California and West Virginia but is still keen to pursue a professional career in his home country when he ends his studies.

On his future aspirations, he added: “I’d like to win a National Championship for Montevallo and pick up an All-American award but my ultimate goal is still to play professionally in England. After graduation, I’m hoping to come back and get some trials.

“But, if I have to play in America or a different country first, then I’d do that because I’ve been told there will be opportunities for me in the States. There are MLS (Major League Soccer) trials for players who have done well in college football to make the first or second draft.

“That could be an option although the competition here for goalkeepers is strong. The US have a good goalkeeping tradition now and it would mean me taking up an American’s spot. I just want to get my degree but then I am determined to focus on trying to carve out a career in football.”