Chloe's soaring with the Seagulls

The 14-year-old Midhurst Rother College pupil is playing and training with the Seagulls’ after impressing at trials.

Chloe, from Fernhurst, started kicking a ball when she was six and used to go to matches at Midhurst & Easebourne, where her brother played.

She joined her first girls’ team, Haslemere, when she was nine and moved on to Headley girls a couple of years later, when she flourished under the guidance of top coach Paul Bonner. Chloe’s dad Paul said: “Paul taught Chloe so much and taught her so well. She remained committed to her football and eventually we were invited up to Brighton last summer.

“They liked her and she was signed on January 1.”

It’s quite a commitment for Chloe and her dad. They head over to Brighton two evenings a week for training and at the weekend for her under-15 matches. She is hopeful they will keep her on next season.

Chloe said: “As soon as you get to a professional club, the games are faster and tougher. But I love it. I want to get to the top and play at as high a level as I can.”