THE Eastwood Academy’s head of PE Scott Wheeler has spoken of his pride at seeing former pupil Cameron Carter-Vickers shine in the Tottenham Hotspur first team.

The Southend born 19-year-old made his third appearance of the season in Sunday’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup.

And Wheeler is thrilled to see Carter-Vickers fulfilling the potential he showed at a very young age.

“We’re all so proud of Cameron and what he’s achieving, especially as he was such a great pupil here,” said Wheeler.

“When I came in he was in Year 9 and all the teachers here can only say positive things about him.

“He was already with Tottenham Hotspur at the time but he never ever missed a school game.

“He was very close and loyal to his mates and always played but we did have to make sure our matches weren’t on a Tuesday or a Friday so he wouldn’t be with Spurs!

“We played him in midfield because of how influential he was and have obviously kept tabs on how he’s doing.

“A few of the teachers went to watch him play in the FA Youth Cup semi-final against Chelsea a couple of years ago now and he’s so talented that we can’t wait to see what he’s going to go on and achieve.”

A large image of Carter-Vickers is proudly on show at the school’s entrance but it was not on the football pitch that the youngster would shine.

Carter-Vickers, whose dad Howard played in the NBA, helped the school’s basketball team win two county championships and was also a star member of the athletics squad.

Echo:

Basketball star - Cameron Carter-Vickers during his time at the Eastwood Academy 

The youngster took part in three national track and field finals and still holds a number of school records.

“Cameron was a real star in a number of sports,” recalled Wheeler.

“He was in the first lesson I ever taught here and I had to completely change what I was going to teach because he did it in the first five minutes.

“I was immediately asking who he was and the basketball team enjoyed great success, just like the athletics squad did too.

“Cameron still holds school records in the hurdles and the shot-putt which he was exceptional at.

“He could still hold borough records where that is concerned and helped us get to three national finals while he was here.”

Carter-Vickers has regularly represented the USA, the birth place of his father, at a number of age-groups, and also shone for Catholic United as a youngster before teaming up with Tottenham as an under 10 player.

But the defender - who attended Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School in Leigh - was equally as impressive in the classroom, picking up three A stars and four As in his GCSE results.

“Cameron was a very hardworking pupil and we all remain right behind him,” added Wheeler.