By James Loveridge

NEWENT Community School is fast becoming a breeding ground for Forest Green Rovers.

Goalkeeper Luke Merchant, 17, is following in the football footsteps of Newent School old boys Stuart Fleetwood and Ashley Brown, who enjoyed spells at the New Lawn.

Sporting all-rounder Merchant will start the new season at Forest Green Academy under youth boss Scott Bartlett andwill combined his football training with a B-TEC in sport studies at SGS College.

Merchant’s former school can also boast Welsh international rugby star Alex Cuthbert and former Yeovil Town midfielder Joe Edwards who is currently training with Tony Humes’ Colchester United.

The imposing 6ft 2ins keeper boasts an impressive CV and cut his goalkeeping teeth for Gloucester Primary Schools, where he played a pivotal part in helping them win the Primary Schools Cup at Wembley. He was part of the Stroud/West Brom Development Centre and has also represented Gloucester City Youth team.

At senior level he helped Longlevens FC lift the County Cup as he starred in a thrilling penalty shoot-out to produce the winning save.

Merchant recently tasted a slice of first team involvement with a shock call-up for the pre-season friendly against Championship outfit Cardiff City.

Merchant said: “ Being asked to be in the first team was a shock. I was just getting to know the Academy players, and when Ady Pennock asked me to be involved I was surprised, but also over the moon.

“It was a great experience for me just to warm up with an experienced goalkeeper and also being in the changing rooms with the players was a great feeling.

“To be up against a club like Cardiff, who included Fabio, Peter Whittingham, Joe Mason, Macheda, was amazing.”