FORMER Copmanthorpe footballer Lucy Staniforth is following in her father's footsteps after being called up to an England Under-17 training camp.

The 15-year-old midfielder is the daughter of ex-York City striker Gordon Staniforth who, back in 1972, represented his country at the same age.

Staniforth, who now works as York College's Football Development Centre co-ordinator, played alongside Ray Wilkins for England's U15 schoolboys during a 4-0 triumph over West Germany in front of 80,000 fans under Wembley's famous Twin Towers.

A generation on, former Copmanthorpe School pupil Lucy is dreaming about pulling on the Three Lions shirt at the inaugural FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.

That competition will be held in New Zealand this autumn and Lucy, who is a member of Sunderland's Centre of Excellence and plays for the club's U16 ladies' team, has been invited to a six-day get together at Bisham Abbey next month with the aim of selecting a squad capable of mounting a successful challenge.

First, the England team will need to negotiate a qualifying group in Prague this April, when they will be pitted against the Czech Republic, Holland and Belgium.

Speaking to The Press following her call-up, Lucy said: "It's very exciting and a dream come true. I first kicked a ball when I was about two and representing England is all I have ever played for.

"I've never been to New Zealand but words cannot describe how I would feel playing in a World Cup."

Lucy is relieved, however, that she will not have to make one particular sacrifice ahead of playing for her country.

The FA's stuffed shirts frowned at Staniforth senior's 1970s' Afro hairstyle after his selection for the showcase schoolboy international. He was instructed to visit the barbers.

"I'm definitely glad I won't have to do that," long-locked Lucy joked. "I like my hair the way it is."

Lucy will also find donning the England shirt a little easier than the first time she tried on a Sunderland top for size.

A massive Newcastle United fan, Lucy took some persuading to turn out for the enemy and still struggles with her mixed allegiance.

She said: "A really good friend of mine was playing for Sunderland and her mum kept telling me to go along, so I did last year. I was tempted to wear my Newcastle shirt underneath at first but, seriously, I just enjoy playing for them although I don't think I'll ever kiss the badge or anything like that.

"We are unbeaten this season and Newcastle are the only team that have drawn against us so there is a rivalry. I still want Newcastle to win the men's derby, of course, but I also like to see Sunderland do well because when they got promoted to the Premier League at the end of last season we received more funding."

Lucy's elder brother Thomas was also a footballer with Sheffield Wednesday before he tragically collapsed and died at the age of 20 during a night out in York six-and-a-half years ago.

Said their father: "Lucy idolised Tom when he was here. She played football with both of her brothers in the back garden as a toddler and Tom would be very proud of her, just as I am.

"She grew up in a football household and has always loved the game, studied it and played it. I'm absolutely delighted that she's now being recognised for being a good player.

"I had a fantastic time playing for my country and it's great that she will have that experience as well and I'm certain she will do well.

"Women's football is up-and-coming in this country and is getting some good coverage.

"I have a women's football development centre at the college now and I am a women's coach mentor for the FA as well so I am very passionate about improving women's football."

Lucy, who now lives in Northumberland, has not forgotten her York roots, adding: "It was really good fun playing for Copmanthorpe. I was in defence and used to enjoy kicking all the boys."

The message is clear - the Czech Republic, Holland and Belgium beware.