JOHN Cunliffe, a former Turton High School pupil now studying in the United States, has taken his latest step towards realising his ambition to become a professional footballer.

The 21-year-old striker from Edgworth has been voted ahead of players from every college in the US into the All-American First Team for 2005.

The prestigious, Adidas-sponsored award caps a sensational three years of success Cunliffe has enjoyed since winning a scholarship to Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, where he is studying psychology.

Cunliffe honed his attacking talents with Turton Tigers and Hindley Juniors, had a year with Manchester United as an 11-year-old and later had spells with Blackburn Rovers and Preston before going on to win representative honours with England U18s Schoolboys.

Since moving to Colorado, he has won a string of individual honours and helped Fort Lewis become a top-ranked team on the American college circuit.

Three other members of the Fort Lewis squad, who were named along with Cunliffe in the All-American team, have already been drafted to the MLS (Major League Soccer) - a step up to the professional ranks which has been the Edgworth player's lifelong ambition.

Cunliffe, whose parents Stephen and Penny live in Edgworth, will be honoured as an All-American at an awards ceremony in Philadelphia on Friday.