Oxford United’s young striker Owen James’ progress on and off the pitch has been recognised with a prestigious national award.
Owen, who made his first team debut last season at just 17, has been nominated for a place in the League Football Education (LFE) ‘The 11’, which acknowledges the football and academic progress of Under-18 players on apprenticeships at current or former English Football League (EFL) clubs - and is also designed to assess other factors, including involvement in community or charity-based initiatives.
England Under-20 World Cup winners Ademola Lookman (formerly Charlton Athletic), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (formerly Sheffield United) and Lewis Cook (formerly Leeds United) have all previously been named in ‘The 11’.
Others to previously appear in this select group include Leeds United’s Jamie Shackleton, Swansea City striker Oli McBurnie (formerly Bradford City) and England Under-17 World Cup winners Steven Sessegnon (Fulham) and Billy Crellin (Fleetwood Town).
The 11 this year is
Dwight Pascal (Barnet)
Luca Connell (Bolton Wanderers)
Ethan Vale (Burton Albion)
Ben Worman (Cambridge United)
Mattie Pollock (Grimsby Town)
Connor Tomlinson (Luton Town)
Owen James (Oxford United)
Jack Gurney (Peterborough United)
Jack Baxter (Preston North End)
Angelo Capello (Sheffield United)
Charlie Jolley (Wigan Athletic)
Our warmest congratulations to Owen, one of many fantastic young footballers who are developing as part of the Oxford United Academy
“Owen is an extremely polite and friendly young man, who is a credit to the club,” said Regional Officer Gavin Willacy. “He is expected to achieve a double Distinction in the BTEC Diploma and has completed his NVQ and FA Coaching award, while he has been a regular starter and scorer for the Under-23s in the Premier League Cup and moved into first-team contention in recent weeks.”