“Representing England and being chosen Player of the Year is a great pleasure and honour but a bit ironic” says Ardingly College sixth former Monty Gimpel. Why ironic? Because he is German!
Monty won the honour after a victorious Independent Schools Football Association U16 England tour in Poland, when the team, captained by fellow Ardinian, Jon Dollery, and including another Ardingly player, Matt Daniel, scored resounding 2-0, 6-0 and 4-0 victories.
Monty, who is also a talented pianist and academically a year above his age, joined Ardingly in September to study the International Baccalaureate Diploma. He says he chose to come to Ardingly: “To have a really great education and a new experience. Every one was so friendly and clearly so happy when I came to look round, it stood out from all the other schools I looked at.”
With the experience of having played for the Hanover Academy Team, at Ardingly Monty rapidly came to the ISFA’a attention as a first class centre back. He admits to some teasing from friends back home who were “amazed” when he first put on an England shirt. He said: “My family are very proud and my father has come over to support me. It’s a great opportunity to play football at such a high standard.”
Ardingly College Head of Football, Nick Tester, who also once played for the England ISFA, said: “After just 5 minutes of seeing Monty play I knew we had one of the best players I had seen on the schools’ circuit and a young man who could go far in the sport. His team captain Jon, who has been Highly Commended for his outstanding performances during the 2009-10 season, is probably the most dedicated sportsman I have ever worked with. He has an exceptional talent and I firmly believe he has a future in football.”
The boys also paid tribute to their Ardingly coach. Mr Tester, they say, has taught the team motivation, dedication and also enthusiasm. Monty had found playing in Germany, “very serious with not much freedom,’’ but loves playing for Ardingly and England. He says he aims to emulate the style of Barcelona because: “The whole team play with smiles on their faces.”
Club scouts are now looking at both Jon and Monty. Jon has already played with Charlton and QPR Academies but is concentrating on GCSEs and aiming for a place in the sixth form for A levels; Monty has an offer to train with Leeds United in the holidays but he also has his sights firmly set on a place in a top university in the UK.
Thu 3rd Jun 2010
