Manx-born Wigan Athletic defender Adam Long is helping to inspire the next generation of young footballers in the island.

A number of Isle of Man youngsters have been invited to train at the Latics’ academy set-up having impressed at Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s soccer school sessions in the island.

Athletic’s Community Trust has been running soccer schools at Colby AFC’s Station Fields ground for the past seven years, with professional coaches from the club’s academy also visiting sessions to scout potential recruits.

Former Union Mills and St George’s defender Long, who signed for Wigan as a 16-year-old in 2017 before making his first team debut for the club during the 2017-18 campaign, is hoping his story can aspire more youngsters to follow in his steps.

The teenager commented: ’The opportunities Wigan Athletic provide children from the Isle of Man are incredible, and the soccer schools the Community Trust run have really helped to create a clear pathway.

’The soccer schools give them a real insight into what it’s like to train professionally with a football club and the experiences they get are so beneficial to them. I’d really recommend the soccer schools to any young person in the island because the club are actively looking to bring the best players over here to train and develop further.’

One youngster to benefit from Long’s guidance and tutorship is 12-year-old Isaac Allen, who recently visited the Latics’ academy along with William Cowin, Louis Fox and Rudi Bryce.

Isaac said: ’It’s really good to be associated with the club because we want to become professional football players just like Adam and we see him as an inspiration.

’He’s a great role model not just to me but everyone else as well. He came over here from the island when he was 16 when Wigan signed him and that’s ultimately what we want to achieve as well.

’It’s mind-blowing to be at Wigan Athletic because everything about the facilities are brilliant and it’s just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us all. I’ve definitely improved as a player since training with the coaches because they’ve helped me to improve my skills and attributes as an individual.’

For Isaac’s father Martin, he says the club have provided a clear pathway for children from the island to continue their footballing development.

’Isaac has regularly attended the Wigan Athletic soccer schools at Colby and has thoroughly enjoyed every one. He was one of a group of players in 2018 who were invited to Wigan Athletic’s academy set-up and he now attends training sessions and plays in games during school holidays.

’The opportunity to train at an academy level with other academy standard players is motivating him to train harder and improve his physical fitness. The experience demonstrates that there are real links and a pathway for local players from the Isle of Man to train with a professional football club.’

l Wigan Athletic Community Trust will be running Easter soccer schools in the island from Monday, April 8 to Friday, April 12 when coaches from the Latics’ academy will be scouting for new players.

To book your child’s place and for more information, visit https://officialsoccerschools.co.uk/wiganathletic/wigan-athletic-courses.html