Soule, 16, samples FA Cup drama on debut

TOBY Soule’s first match in adult football was in the FA Cup for Cheltenham Saracens.

The 16-year-old midfielder, whose older brother Jamie is a professional at Premier League West Bromwich Albion, was named in Saracens’ starting line-up to face Burnham.

There were no goals in the 90 minutes, but there was drama as goalkeeper Eric Edge was sent off in the 87th minute.

Forward Iain Sercombe donned the gloves for the closing stages and then for the ensuing penalty shoot-out, which Burnham won 5-3.

“I was sixth so didn’t take a penalty, but well done to the lads who were brave enough to step up and take one,” Soule said.

“It felt really good knowing I was starting and that Betts (Ryan Betteridge), Sean (Bryan) and Mitch (Stuart Mitchinson) backed me fully to do my normal thing in the midfield.

“I didn’t look too much into the occasion and it being an FA Cup game and just treated it like I normally would.”

Soule has been playing youth football for Leckhampton Rovers, where he was captain, until this season, but he felt it was the right time to test himself in the senior game.

“It’s the right time to step up for my own personal development,” he said.

“Betts contacted my dad (Leigh) asking me to come down and train and straight away I enjoyed it.”

Older brother Jamie, 19, is a forward who has impressed for the Baggies Under-23s and spent time on loan at National League champions Barrow last season.

“Jamie is a natural goalscorer and I am more of a box-to-box midfielder with a little less flair and goalscoring ability,” Toby said.

“However he’s always supporting me and giving me ways to improve myself on and off the pitch.

“I want to play as high as I possibly can and I know if I keep working hard, doing things behind the scenes it will eventually pay off.”

Soule is starting a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma Sport (Football) in performance in excellence in football this year.

“I’m really looking forward to it and the challenges and opportunities that it will bring,” he said.

Saracens’ Hellenic League Division One West campaign kicks off away to Bourton Rovers on September 15 and Soule cannot wait to get started.

“I have never been more excited for a season to begin,” he said.

“I think that comes from being the youngster in the group at Saracens, going from captain at youth to an inexperienced lad in men’s football.

“The excitement also comes from wanting to show management and my teammates that I am capable of playing at this level and dealing with the physicality, week-in week-out, despite only being 16.

“I’m fully confident that at Saracens we can win some silverware this year and I couldn’t be surrounded by a better group of lads to do that.”