ENGLAND hero Marcus Rashford grew up playing in the same junior side as Southend United defender Shaun Hobson.

The duo played together at Fletcher Moss Rangers along with current Doncaster Rovers defender Ro-Shaun Williams.

And, speaking to the Echo back in 2020, Hobson admitted Rashford's talent stood out even then.

“It was my Sunday League side but talent is talent and he (Rashford) could take the mick even then,” said Hobson.

“The way he talks and enjoys football is exactly what he’s like.

“He’s certainly not a fake person and he enjoys what he does but that was ages ago now.

“After the last Euro’s he came down and played football with everyone.

“We were in a five a side place but he’s just got too big really because people were actually coming to just watch us play five-a-side."

Rashford showed his talent again this evening by scoring twice for England in their 3-0 win against Wales at the World Cup.

Rashford hit a stupendous free-kick and ended a mazy run by finishing through back-up goalkeeper Danny Ward’s legs after Phil Foden had doubled England’s lead in what proved to be a 3-0 stroll against their British rivals in Al Rayyan.

The forward told BBC One: “Moments like this, this is what I play football for. The biggest moments, the best moments.

“I’m really happy today, I’m happy that we’re going through to the next round.

“Hopefully we can build on this performance because I have massive ambitions for this team and I think we can play even better than we showed today.

“It’s obviously a great feeling.

“We were a little bit disappointed as a team after the last game against the USA (Friday’s goalless draw).

“I thought we could have played a lot better and the only way to bounce back from that is to have a good performance in your next game and I think we did that.

“First half, we defended brilliantly, we didn’t really give them any opportunities.

“And it was just about us killing the game off and taking the chances when they came.”

On his free-kick opener, Rashford added: “I fancied one in the first half but the one in the second half was in a better position.

“And from there, it’s just about being calm and trying to execute what you practice in training.

“They don’t go in often but I’m pleased that it went in today.”

England will now take on Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday.

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