Washington schoolboy picked to play at AC Milan's San Siro stadium

Washington lad Reid-Thomas Coyne took part in a north east football camp put on by Italian giants AC Milan earlier this summer.

And to the delight of him and his parents, the 10-year-old, from Glebe, has now been selected to travel to Milan in March and take part in a prestigious competition at the San Siro, where AC and city rivals Inter play.

Reid’s mum Rebecca, 32, said: “He did the camps last year and didn’t get picked to go aborad, but he really wanted to go back because he enjoyed it so much.

“We were absolutely over the moon for him when we found out he had been chosen. He can’t wait to go already.”

Once in Italy, Reid, who has sisters Trinity, 12, and Gabriella, four, will be representing an England team against sides from other countries as they battle for glory.

The reward is well deserved for football-mad Reid, a Newcastle United supporter, says his mum.

As well as being captain of Washington Juniors Orange Under 12s, he has also played for Washington Primary School, which he has just left this year as he prepares to begin life as a Biddick Academy pupil.

The right-sided player, who can operate in defence or midfield, is also supoported by his dad , 30-year-old roofer Steven Bland.

“Reid-Thomas’s coach Gav Phipps has been a massive help and has always encouraged him” said Rebecca, who works as a supervisory assistant at Washington Primary.

“He said he wouldn’t want to pick anyone else as captain because of how hard he works.

“I suppose I’m biased because I’m his mam, but his attitude is always great and he always gives 100% too.

“He’s ended up with huge blisters on his feet from all the football he’s been playing over the past few weeks but he just won’t give up.”