Talented teen to assist with Olympic football (From Messenger Newspapers)

Urmston teenager has been chosen to be a ball girl at Old Trafford games

12:10pm Monday 11th June 2012 in Sport

A LOCAL father has told how proud he is of his daughter after she was chosen to assist with the Olympics this summer.

14-year-old Amy Long, from Urmston, is one of just a handful of youngsters selected by the Manchester United Foundation to be a ball girl during this year’s Olympic football events at Old Trafford.

Amy’s father, Mike Long, says he is extremely proud of his daughter and will be close at hand to support her throughout the games.

The 48-year-old says both he and Amy are extremely excited and, despite not knowing exactly which games Amy will be involved in, they cannot wait for the tournament to begin.

The Urmston Grammar School pupil, who currently plays for Manchester United Girls Under 15s, has been playing football since she was just six years old.

Mike said: “She started playing when she was six, going to a local afterschool football club nearby. Somebody suggested that she should try to get into a team and so she did. By nine she’d been picked up by United.”

The teenager, who turns 15 next month, has already achieved a lot for her age, having represented Manchester County FA twice this year as well as appearing on MUTV and having her photograph featured in the Wall Street Journal.

The United fan has already had a lot of interest but has so far stayed true to her Manchester roots.

Mike said: “Amy was offered the chance to play for Everton last year but she turned it down to stay with United.”

The talented teen is now looking to carve herself a career in the beautiful game, with trials lined up with both Manchester United Under 17s and Everton Under 17s.

The Old Trafford Olympic matches kick off on Thursday, July 26 with UAE vs Uruguay and Team GB vs Senegal in the men’s competition.