Luton’s Gray will provide scoring threat
Royal Gazette sports reporter Stephen Wright takes a look at England C’s ones to watch ahead of their friendly game against the Bermuda national team at the National Sports Centre on Tuesday. The England C team, coached for Barnet director of football Paul Fairclough, features the best English players at non-league level.Name: Andre GrayAge: 21Position: StrikerClub: Luton TownArguably the star attraction for England C, Gray has been destructive goalscoring form for Luton, scoring 18 goals in the Conference Premier last season.The Wolverhampton-born youngster started his career at Shrewsbury Town, making just four appearances before moving to non-league Hinckley Town where earned a reputation as a lethal finisher.Since joining Luton, Gray has further enhanced his reputation and is believed to have attracted interest from Championship side Millwall. He scored his first goal for England C against Belgium Under-23s in the International Challenge Trophy in 2012.Name: Andrew CookAge: 22Position: StrikerClub: Grimsby TownCook scored 11 goals in all competitions last season, helping Grimsby reach the Conference National play-offs and the final of the FA Trophy at Wembley where they lost to Wrexham.He started his career at Carlisle and was at the club at the same time as Bermuda striker Nahki Wells. Like Wells, Cook failed to break into the first team at Brunton Park and moved to Conference side Barrow after a successful loan stint in 2011.The 22-year-old finished his first season at Barrow as top scorer with 18 goals, including hat-tricks against Fleetwood and Hayes and Yeading.Cook has been a regular at Grimsby since signing for the Mariners before the start of last season.Name: Antoni SarcevicAge: 21Position: MidfielderClub: Chester FCDespite being the most exotically named of the England C touring party, Sarcevic was born in Manchester and spent his teenage years at Manchester City’s youth academy.After being released by the Blues, the midfielder joined non-league outfit Woodley Sports before signing for league side Crewe Alexander, where he made 12 appearances.Following a successful stint at Chester, Sarcevic made the move permanent and helped the club to back-to-back promotions to the reach the Football Conference.His eye-catching displays are believed to have attracted interest from several league sides.Name: Preston EdwardsAge: 23Position: GoalkeeperClub: Ebbsfleet United FCEdwards became a YouTube sensation, racking up more than five million viewers, after being sent off just ten seconds into his side’s 3-0 defeat against Farnborough in 2011, which is believed to be a record for a goalkeeper. He made his professional debut in his one and only game for Millwall, coming on a substitute against Swansea City in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in 2007. Following a loan spell at Dover Athletic, Edwards moved to Grays Athletic, making 18 appearances, before signing for Ebbsfleet.Name: Christopher StokesAge: 22Position: DefenderClub: Forest Green RoversStokes came through the ranks at Bolton Wanderers but was released before making an appearance for the club. He then spent a month on loan at Crewe Alexander, playing two games, before signing for Forest Green where he has been a first team regular since 2010. He was voted the supporter’s player of the year for the 2011-2012 season.England C squad: Preston Edwards (Ebbsfleet United), Mitchell Walker (Dover Athletic), Daniel Bradley (Alfreton Town), Antoni Sarcevic (Chester), James Norwood (Forest Green Rovers), Christopher Stokes (Forest Green Rovers), Marlon Jackson (Hereford United), Sam Clucas (Hereford United), John Hunt (Wrexham), Michael Demetriou (Kidderminster Harriers), Andrew Cook (Grimsby Town), Andre Gray (Luton Town), Ryan Jackson (Macclesfield Town), Harry Beautyman (Sutton United), Anthony Acheampong (Welling United), Fraser Franks (Welling United).