PONTLLANFRAITH Comprehensive School Year 11 pupil Liam Angel is looking forward to another successful year in the development of his football career after helping Wales win the Victory Shield in 2014.

The 15-year-old defender was a key part of the Wales under-16s team that won the prestigious competition for the first time outright since 1949 in November last year.

Angel, who is captain of the Cardiff City under-16s side, scored the winning goal in the first game against England in Bangor, a 1-0 win.

Wales then went on to beat Scotland 2-1 in Perth and Northern Ireland 2-0 in Ballymena.

Angel’s PE teacher Huw Davies said: “He is an extremely talented athlete with phenomenal potential.

“Back in 2011 our Year 7 squad reached the Welsh Cup Final in Oswestry and Liam was captain of the side then.

“We are very proud of his achievements as a school and in particular the PE department.”

The Victory Shield has been a launch pad for several full internationals in recent years including Aaron Ramsey, Emyr Huws and Jonny Williams.

Former Wales star Ian Rush said: “There are great examples of players who have played in the Victory Shield and gone on to play for the senior team. It's a great incentive for them.

“What we have from the under-16s to the senior team is continuity.

“The players know exactly what they are going to play, how they are going to play and the shape they are going to play.”