New Breed of player emerges from AFC Portchester after Gibraltar call-up

The Royals midfielder has been selected to play for Gibraltar's under-21 side in their next UEFA European Under-21s Championships qualifying match.

Breed will be heading to Macedonia with his team-mates for Tuesday's game group seven qualifier in Skopje.

It's not the first time the AFC Portchester player has received a call from his adopted country.

This is the third time Breed has been selected for the under-21s squad, after a similar number of call-ups to Gibraltar's under-19 side.

The player was born in Gibraltar while his father was in the services, and it was through his dad that contact was made with the Gibraltar FA.

Breed is unsure how the country keeps tabs on his performances in the Wessex League premier division.

He said: '˜I know there are people who play for Gibraltar who live over here and go to universities, so I don't know whether they keep an eye on players.

'˜I'm presuming they (the selectors) are not really watching games here but get feedback from people on how players are doing.

'˜I found out I had been selected when I was sat in my university lecture the other day and my dad started calling me to let me know I had to fly out to Macedonia.

'˜It was a bit of a shock when I first heard it but, obviously, I'm now excited to be going.'

Breed joined AFC Portchester towards the end of last season and so far this campaign has made 10 appearances and scored one goal.

The former Gosport Borough player is enjoying life at Portchester and hopes regular football, coupled with impressive performances when he is selected for Gibraltar, could eventually lead to a chance to play for the country's full international side.

He added: '˜I'm enjoying my football at the moment and playing as much as I can at Portchester.

'˜I want to play for the under-21s as much as I can and build up to get the chance to play for the full international team one day.'

- GRAEME MOIR