JAMES Heywood has won a two-year scholarship at Wigan Athletic - after only training with them four times.

The 16-year-old centre half had come through the ranks at Burnley FC but - although a Clarets fan - decided to try his luck elsewhere.

And the Mount Carmel pupil was snapped up by Wigan Athletic soon after and will be hoping to make an impression at the First Division side.

"I thought there wouldn't be any scholarship places left - I thought I had left it too late - so I am pleased," said James. "I went to Wigan and I was also asked to go to Blackburn but I decided on Wigan as it is a First Division club and I thought I would have more of a chance of making it through to the first team."

James won St Anne's and St Joseph's Player of the Year at Under 12s and Under 13s and has also captained Lancashire for the last two years at Under 15 and Under 16 level.