Brighton and Hove Albion defender Grant Hall went back to college recently.
The former Cardinal Newman pupil was an Albion scholar until, at the age of 16, the club let him go.
He said: “When I was originally released by Albion, I wasn’t quite sure what to do.
“I wanted to stay in football and play at a high level but also keep up my education in case my football career didn’t work out.
“So City College was ideal and was a very positive experience for me.”
Grant, who is now 20, has since been re-signed by Albion and made his debut as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Southampton at the start of the month. He also played in the FA Cup tie against Wrexham.
But he hasn’t forgotten the time that he spent at City College Brighton and Hove’s Football Development Academy.
Luke Hampton, team leader for sport at City College, said: “Grant decided to join our academy while also playing non-league football at Lewes.
“That stage of development was crucial for him to get to where he is today.
“Grant’s a good example to young players who get released at 16 and think that their dreams are over but, in a lot of cases, players develop at different stages.”
Grant went back to congratulate one of the current students, Jordan Adekunle, 16, who has just been selected for the England Colleges Under-19 squad to tour Italy in March.
Mr Hampton said: “Jordan’s a bit more of a raw talent. He’s an eye-catching player and has real pace and power.
“He could learn a lot from Grant’s maturity and general approach to the game. If he focuses himself like Grant has, he’ll have a real chance of making it.”
