School's pride as ex-pupil makes Premier League debut

Toby Collyer made his Premier League debut for Manchester Utd at the weekend

A teacher whose former student has made his Premier League debut with Manchester United said the young footballer always had the "mentality and the drive to succeed in top-level sport".

Toby Collyer, who was a pupil at Angmering School, in West Sussex, came on at half-time for Casemiro in the Red Devil's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Collyer, 20, joined Manchester United from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2022.

Ian Gooding, the school's assistant headteacher, said: "I can't tell you how proud we are as a school. He regularly comes back and sees us when his schedule allows and is always keen to help out our current students when possible."

Mr Gooding said the midfielder was "absolutely grounded" despite having played against the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne in the Community Shield final at Wembley in August.

"He was the epitome of hard work and whether it was football or his studies, he always wanted to improve."

Teacher Ian Gooding said the young player has set an 'incredible example'

The teacher said despite being involved with Brighton, Collyer would "insist" on playing for the school.

Mr Gooding said Collyer was "quite a quiet lad, but someone who you could just tell had the mentality and the drive to succeed in top-level sport".

"Despite being shy in his younger years, [he] was not afraid of asking others for guidance when he felt they could impact him.

"He is an incredible example to any young person wanting to achieve success."