Newport Trio Join AFC Telford

Three talented students from Burton Borough School in Newport are kicking off their footballing dreams after signing contracts with AFC Telford United.

Alicia Bailey, Freya Lucas, and Harper-Rae Hughes have all put pen to paper, marking their first steps towards a promising career in the sport.

Year 7 students Alicia and Harper-Rae have joined the AFC Telford United under-13s squad, while Freya, a Year 8 student, has been recruited for the club’s under-14s team.

Alicia, who began playing football at seven, previously shone for Newport Girls, where she was top goal scorer for two seasons running. The dedicated left-winger also honed her skills for a year at Shrewsbury Town’s Development Centre and is now gearing up for her debut in the Warwickshire Premier League.

Striker Harper-Rae, who moved to Shropshire from London, has been playing for AFC Telford since September. She’s already impressed coaches with her skill, determination, and goalscoring ability, and also represents Wrockwardine Wood.

Freya, an attacking midfielder and striker, has made a strong impact in her first four weeks of training. A dedicated player since the age of five, she wears the number eight shirt and has already helped lead her team to tournament victory in Oswestry, showcasing her technical ability and team spirit.

Caroline Bedford, Principal at Burton Borough School, said: “We are incredibly proud of Alicia, Harper-Rae and Freya. Their commitment, teamwork and drive reflect the values we celebrate as a school – being ambitious in pursuit of their dreams, feeling proud of their efforts, showing care for their teammates, and exemplifying our school community ethos.

These fantastic achievements serve as an inspiration to students across our school. They are a shining example of what dedication and passion can lead to, and we can’t wait to see how their football journeys continue to grow.”