FOOTBALL | TOM ALLNUTT
Hashtag United: Club born on YouTube attracting England youngsters
What began as an informal kickabout has evolved into a genuine club charging up the divisions — all lapped up by a social media following that puts even Newcastle and Aston Villa to shame
Curd is in Indonesia for the Under-17 World Cup this month
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The Sunday Times
There was a time when a highly rated English talent on the books of a Premier League powerhouse such as Chelsea would be sent on loan only to a certain type of club, one with established relationships, old-school values and trusted traditions. Harry Kane honed his craft at Leyton Orient, among others, Jordan Henderson spent time at Coventry City, Jordan Pickford at Darlington and Jack Grealish at Notts County.
When Ted Curd, the Chelsea goalkeeper called up to the England Under-17 squad for this month’s World Cup, looked through his options last summer, he asked why one club in particular was not on the list. After all, it was a team he knew all about, the one his friends followed, the one he had watched