South Woodham pupil is Shilton's favourite keeper (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

South Woodham pupil is Shilton's favourite keeper

9:00am Sunday 18th May 2008

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A TEENAGER was named best goalkeeper at a national tournament by England legend Peter Shilton.

Bethany Granger, 14, was named best keeper in the under 14 girls English Tesco Cup, after being chosen by the former English football star.

Shilton - the most-capped England player of all time - chose the William de Ferrers pupil after watching her play in a closely fought tie between her team Herongate Girls and a Preston team.

Despite losing the match in the final minute of extra time, Bethany, of King's Croft, Southminster, was delighted to hear she had been chosen by the goalkeeping icon.

Bethany saw off stiff opposition to win the national trophy at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium, including keepers from Manchester United.

The trophy was the second Bethany lifted in as many weeks, as former Newcastle and England defender Warren Barton had named her as best keeper in the southern England heats of the Tesco Cup.

Her dad Calvin, who joint manages the team, said he was very proud of his daughter's success and commitment to the sport.

He said: "She has goalkeeping sessions twice a week, one-on-one with a goalkeeper and plays five times a week. Bethany's played the game since she was eight."

Calvin added that Bethany had recently been doing trials at Arsenal's academy and that her long-term goal was to play in America.

She also spends time with children at Cold Norton Primary School, where she coaches football skills to young girls.

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