RISING FROM THE ASHES

Young refused to give up on his dreams after being snubbed by Watford and now he’s an England star shining on the biggest stage of all

ASHLEY YOUNG never gave up on his dreams when he was rejected by Watford for having a matchstick physique – and now he’s striking it lucky.

Keeping his England place against Panama tomorrow would be another triumph for the converted Manchester United full-back, the secondgreatest sporting prodigy to come out of Stevenage.

Four-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was in the same year at John Henry Newman school.

Hamilton plans to watch the England game before hopping into the cockpit and going for a spin at the French Grand Prix.

There should be a familiar face at left-back – Young is still going strong, a fortnight short of his 33rd birthday. But for the kid with pipe-cleaner legs who stepped off the bench to score on his Watford debut against Millwall as a teenager in September 2003, a 36th cap would be more vindication of his refusal to accept rejection.

Young cast his mind back to the day he was jilted by the Hornets as a 16-year-old.

“Did I ever think, back then, that I would be going to the World Cup as a defender? To be honest, no – but in life, things change,” said Young.

“But I have always had a determination never to give up, even when the odds have been stacked against me.

“I was in Watford’s Under-16 squad, the YTS year – I was told I was too small, and too thin, to withstand the physical demands of higher age groups, but I wouldn’t take ‘No’ for an answer.

“When they told me I wasn’t getting a full scholarship, I went home to my mum and dad’s house and stared at a blank TV screen for a whole day. I didn’t move from the sofa, the whole world came to a standstill.

“Watford said it was up to me if I wanted to come back parttime, two days a week, or just leave. The way they left the door ajar gave me a second chance.

“It’s like they were challenging me, to see how badly I wanted it.

“If anyone thought I was going to give up the ghost, they misjudged me. I wanted to prove people wrong, and show I had the determination and the hunger to succeed,” added Young (below, celebrating a Watford goal against Crystal in 2006). “A lot was said about my height and build, but Lionel Messi is never going to be built like a heavyweight champion and it didn’t stop him becoming the best player in the world.” Within three-anda-half years of his first-team debut, Watford had been promoted to the Premier League, and Young was sold to Aston Villa for for £9.75million.

He moved on to Old Trafford seven years ago, and acquired a reputation for collapsible dark arts, but his dead-ball expertise, skill on the flanks and versatility have been worthy assets.

United boss Jose Mourinho has seen enough of Young at leftback to shelve his £50m interest in Tottenham defender Danny Rose, the man he is keeping out of the England side, for now.

“In the modern game, it helps to be versatile and play in different positions,” said Young.

“If you’ve got a good footballing brain, you read the game well and your legs still get you up and down the pitch, you can do a job for your team there.

“I know when to defend and I’ve been able to adapt fairly easily, to be honest. If selected, I’ll know what’s expected of me.”