YEARS of dedication, blood, sweat and tears have finally paid off for talented footballer Warwick Alexander, who has been awarded a two-year scholarship with Stoke City.

And at only 16, he has been invited to train with Jamaica U20s national team in the Cayman Islands later this summer.

Warwick, who has just finished his GCSEs at Avon Valley School, is now a full-time footballer, living away from home. He will also go to college there.

He has been playing for Stoke's Academy for the last four and a half years, which has meant countless sacrifices for his family. Warwick and his dad Robin have had to make the 90-minute drive to Staffordshire three times a week for training and again for weekend matches.

And Robin has paid for three years of sprint training by olympic medallist Kriss Akabussi's former coach Arvel Lowe, which has helped improve Warwick's agility and co-ordination after his growth spurt.
But all their efforts have finally been rewarded with the coveted contract.

Warwick, now 6ft 3.5in tall, began playing football as soon as he could walk and his dad, a former Rugby Town coach, taught him to use both feet.

Having started his career at Rugby Town, Warwick spent five years at Aston Villa's academy before joining Stoke.

He spent seven years improving his skills with the Brazillian Soccer School in Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Stafford, which Robin believes has been the key to Warwick's success.

"Without those Brazillian style skills he wouldn't be where he is today," said Robin. "It's so important to be able to use two feet and he has great technical ability." He still holds the school's record for 'keepie uppies' of nearly 2,500, set when he was just ten.

"As a father I could not be any more proud of what Warwick has achieved," he added. "And it's a huge honour for him to be asked to play for the under 20s Jamaican National Squad. It is up to Stoke as to whether they will let him go."

Centre forward Warwick is enjoying his new life but finding training harder than anything he has ever done before, even though he used to get up at 6.30am before school to complete his fitness programme.

"He's over the moon about it, but he knows there's a long, long way to go. There is so much disappointment in football because so few actually make it, but he is prepared for that. He knows what hard work is involved and knows how important his education is too." Warwick played the last six games for Stoke Reserves and scored his first goal against West Bromwich Albion. He has also been chosen to compete a tournament in America next month.

Robin and Warwick are very grateful to everyone who has helped them along the way and would especially like to thank all his sponsors.

Warwick and Robin would like to thank all those who have supported him over the years, including:

Rugby Town FC, Addidas UK, Angus, Mike Reid, Paul Brackwell (Aston Villa), Steve Hadjuk (Aston Villa), Arvel Lowe (sprint coach), Noel Blake (former head of Stoke City Academy, now England U16 coach), Cemex UK, Winters Delight, Plaza-tech Systems, Universal Autos, Steve Vassel, Derek Owen, Josh, Paul Hinds, Avon Valley School, St. Oswald's School, Roy Humphries (Rugby & Northampton Athletics Club), GT Motors, Scott (Rugby Mobile Window Screens), Alan Noden (Noden Truck Centre, Rugby), Rugby Bodyshoppe.