From GCSEs to training with PNE's first team: Meet the 16-year-old shot-stopper with the world at his feet

A talented teen has gone straight from sitting his GCSEs to training with the Preston North End first team.

Ribchester lad Will Pegrum is a first year scholar at North End, and at 16 has the world at his feet - quite literally.

This summer he’s taken off his Longridge High School tie and within days has moved into club digs and is mixing with the Championship stars as they get ready for a new season.

But it’s not been plain sailing; it’s been a tale of resilence for the 6ft3 shot-stopper, who has had to overcome several challenges to have the chance of living his boyhood dream.”

Mum Sarah said: “He knows he’s living his boyhood dream, but he’s so humble and driven.”

Will’s story

Will was spotted by a Premier League scout at the age of four as he played with dad Steve on the side lines while older brother Tommy played at match.

He was too young for an academy at that time, but Will remained on the radar of clubs, and was scouted by teams including Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City while he played grassroots football for Wilpshire Wanderers - as both a goalkeeper and outfield player.

An Everton supporter, at the age of nine he made the decision to sign for the Toffees, and aged 10 became the first ever goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at a Fulsal competition, with organisers so impressed, they gave him the scoreboard to keep.

In the same year, Will was also awarded Save of The Season by Everton.

But his luck was about to change. In July 2021, aged 11, he suffered a back injury which forced him off the pitch. During his first game back, as he went to make a save, he suffered Grade Two double stress fracture, with doctors ordering him not to play again for 12 months.

“He was literally only allowed to walk”, said Sarah. “He’d gone from being so busy to being able to do nothing, and it was really, really hard for him. He’d just started high school too, so there was no PE either.”

At this point, a mutual decision was made that Will would leave Everton. Sarah said: “Most people at that point would have given up, but Will’s shown such resilience to chase his dream and get to where he is today. It’s one of the things me and his dad are most proud of.”

During 2022 he got back to playing for Wilpshire Wanderers - mainly in outfield positions - and then a call came from the Preston City Team, after a recommendation from Longridge High School and a succesful trial.

In November 2023 he was spotted by PNE and by January 2024, only half way through an eight-week trial period, he was offered a contract. By 2025 he was the first one of his cohort to be offered an early scholarship for the Championship side.

Aged 15 he travelled with the PNE under 21s team and played six games for the under 19s. Last week, now aged 16, he played for the under 21s and has trained with the first team.

He’s also been a crucial part of the most successful Lancashire Boys Under 16s team in history, winning all four trophies in a single season, and Will keeping a clean sheet.

Sarah said: “It’s moved so quickly, it’s amazing. I can’t really put it into words. But I did say to him that what he’s achieved in these past two weeks would be amazing if he’d have achieved them in a year.”

She added: “He’s very mature for his age and very driven. I’m immensely proud of him, especially after everything he’s been through.

“I do find it hard to watch him though, I get so nervous, especially with things like penalty shoot-outs. But my husband - who is his number one fan and doesn’t miss a game - has a good way of looking at it. He tells Will that the goalkeeper is the hero - they’re not expected to make the save in that situation, so if they do, it’s a bonus.”

Describing Will, PNE said: “He's a goalkeeper, big lad, traditional kind of shot-stopper. He’s a big presence in the goal, makes brilliant saves, very agile for his size.”

Other first year scholars taken on by PNE this year are Will McCathie, Tom Noonan, Oliver Green, Kian Stanford, Ethan Tempest, Alex Hickey and Aaron Garrigan.