England football hopefuls Stephen Knock and Shea Hunt have narrowly missed out on their dream of making the national under-18 squad.

Both Stephen, 17, and Shea, 18, who attend Alcester Grammar School, spent time training at England's football centre of excellence at Lilleshall with 30 other youngsters but discovered this week that hadn't been selected, despite some stirling efforts.

Both Stephen and Shea have been involved with professional clubs, including Macclesfield Town and Walsall respectively, but decided to return to the Birmingham Road school to continue their A-Levels.

Dave Cowell, PE teacher at Alcester Grammar School said: "We've only had one other pupil, since I have been here, that has made it through to the England trials.

"So to have two pupils in the same year group so close to getting in the squad is rare."