FOOTBALLERS from Priestley College make up a third of the county first team squad after showing impressive form all season.

Oliver Quarmby, Jamie Benson, Kenny Bernal, Josh Sigsworth and Jack Smith secured their spots after trials and have gone on to impress in matches for Cheshire.

Priestley’s first team captain Quarmby said: “To have five players from Priestley in the first team squad is a massive achievement.

“For me personally, it is a huge thing because we are now playing just before academy or pro team level.”

Priestley’s best players attended Cheshire trials together and their familiarity helped them impress the coaches.

“We ripped it up to be honest,” said Oliver, a former pupil at Lymm High.

“We all communicated really well and played how we would at college.”

Quarmby paid tribute to Priestley’s second years who helped welcome him and other Year One players into the squad, which regularly saw 30 students training last year.

Now, as one of the older players, he does the same ensuring that success breeds success.

In 2019, Priestley won the Cheshire Cup and reached the finals of the national AoC Cup. This month, they play Warrington and Vale Royal College in the county competition.

Priestley are still in this year’s AoC Cup having played two matches, scoring 23 and conceding only one.

They also currently second in the ESFA U18 Super League (North West) by one point but with a game in hand.

Among Priestley’s first team is Kenny Bernal, who has also secured a place on the England College’s U18 squad.

The 16-year-old has trained with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and Priestley’s head of football Dan Jordan is currently helping him to find a professional team to play for.

“I’d like to be a professional footballer, but if that doesn’t work out I am studying Business, Maths and English so I will always have them to fall back on,” he said.