By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:11, Monday, 23 July 2012

SCORING a phenomenal 150 goals in one season earned football mad Bex Henderson a call-up to Sunderland’s Centre of Excellence.

The sharp shooting 10-year-old, of Edgewood, Hexham, hopes the move will help her on her path to becoming a professional footballer, and one day playing for the England national team.

But, there is just one problem. Bex is Newcastle United crazy, taking her seat in the Gallowgate at St James’ Park every other Saturday.

The United season ticket holder has even walked on the hallowed turf at the stadium, accompanying Andy Carroll when she was a mascot there a couple of years ago.

However, St Joseph’s Middle School student Bex is putting allegiances to one side as she dreams of making it in the world of women’s football.

Her mother Sarah said: “Bex is a Newcastle supporter through and through, so it was initially a massive decision for her to make. She lives and breathes football and wants to become a footballer, but the nearest centre of excellence was Middlesbrough which is too far to travel.

“So when we heard that Sunderland got one just eight weeks ago, we were delighted because it is much more challenging for her there.”

Although still young, Bex has shown bags full of potential since she started attending football coaching sessions at the Wentworth Leisure Centre at five.

Aged seven, she became the only girl at Hexham Whites before signing for Newcastle United’s girls centre of excellence in 2010-2011 after impressing at trials.

However, the club lost its centre the following year and Bex was looking for a club to ply her trade.

With no local clubs at U10 level, she travelled to Northumberland Girls League club Cramlington to find a good standard of football.

Bex found it all too much of a doddle, though, scoring over 150 goals last season, helping Cramlington win the league. To add to her silverware, she was also named as Manager’s Player of the Year.

Now that she is at Sunderland, where she will play for their U13 team, she hopes the improved standard will help develop her skills.

Sarah said: “The standard of football in the Northumberland League was not challenging enough for her and nowhere near the standard compared to the centre of excellence.

“She is looking forward to receiving top class coaching and wants to build a career in football.”

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk