A rising star in football is off to the United States to develop his skills.

Eighteen-year-old Harry Laing, an ex- Gillingham FC apprentice, has been given a soccer scholarship at Eckerd College, St Petersburg, Florida.

Harry, who was born in Gillingham, signed for Gillingham FC under 9s and went through seven seasons before being awarded a two-year apprenticeship at 16.

While an apprentice, he earned coaching badges and achieved Triple Distinction* in BTEC Sports, the equivalent of three A-levels.

Harry played for The Howard School in Rainham and both Medway District and Kent alongside current Gillingham goalkeeper Joe Walsh and Luis Binks, who plays for Montreal Impact in the MLS, the Major League Soccer which includes teams from the United States and Canada.

During the second year of his apprenticeship, he was loaned to Sheppey United to gain experience of men’s senior football.

At Gillingham FC and Kent he played with Tommy Lamb who, along with Harry, were the longest serving players both joining at eight years of age and being released at 18.

Harry and Tommy flew to Florida today to begin their four-year scholarship playing football and studying for a degree.

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