EVERTON youth team goalkeeper Connor Roberts is rubbing shoulders with some of soccer’s top internationals these days, but is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

The former Rhyn Park schoolboy got his hands on a medal of his own recently as part of Everton’s side which lifted the Under 18 Youth Cup.

Although he did not play in the final - when the Toffees beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage - he had performed well in many the previous rounds when Everton had emerged top of a northern group which included Sunderland, Newcastle and Leeds.

Connor has a year left on his two and a half year contract at Goodison and is working incredibly hard to make the break-through. He has previously been on the books of Wrexham and Tranmere and was signed by Everton after performing well against them for a Tranmere Academy side.

“The first time I trained with Tim Howard it was scary to see exactly how good you have to be to get to that level. I’ve never seen a goalkeeper move so quickly in my life, so working with him is great experience,” he said.

The teenager’s ‘goalkeeping pedigree’ stretches back to 1966 World Cup winner Gordon Banks who coached Connor’s father, Stuart, when he was a young ’keeper going through the ranks at Stoke City.

In turn Connor was coached in the early days of his career by Stuart who is still his greatest fan.

“Connor is dedicated and level headed and I’m proud of the way he has earned this opportunity for himself,” Stuart said.

Meanwhile, Lakelands School Year 9 pupil, Arlen Birch, has been voted Players’ Player of the Year at the Everton FC Academy Under 14s section and was presented with a prestigious shield by Everton first team players Jack Rodwell and Leighton Baines.

Arlen is going from strength to strength with the Premiership side’s youth set up.