FOOTBALL is life for teenager Ricky Summers who has already made an appearance for his hometown club at the age of 15.

The striker, who is now 16 and lives in Baydon Grove, Calne, started the season by making the step up to the Calne Town Under-18 squad.

But his impressive form in the older age group has already seen him being handed his debuts for both of Calne's reserve and first teams.

Summers said: "Football is my passion. This season I've been playing for the three Calne teams as well as my school John Bentley and the Wiltshire County Under-16s.

"At the start of the season I was just happy to be playing with the Calne under-18s.

"But I was called up into the reserves and I've now played ten games for them and scored two goals."

Summers, who took up football with Castle Combe Under-Eights, said the different levels of football took time to get used to. He said: "The under-18s game was a lot faster than I was used to and when I played in the Wiltshire League for the reserves it was far more physical.

"I'm enjoying it though and I'm just trying to toughen myself up. There are a couple of other younger lads in the reserve team so we help each other out and the older players always praise us when we do well."

The teenager said he was most nervous when he was handed his Calne first team debut for 15 minutes against Minehead earlier this season.

"I didn't expect to be picked as a substitute and even then I didn't think I'd go on," Summers added.

"I was really nervous but it was good and in the end I was disappointed I messed up a chance to score."

Calne first team boss Kelvin Highmore said he was monitoring Summers' progress.

He said: "We've got our eye on him for the first team even though he's only just turned 16. It's no mean feat to be scoring for the reserves because the Wiltshire League is a tough one where you get kicked to bits.

"Ricky started up front and then played in midfield but has been playing in attack for the reserves this season.

"I've told the manager of our under-18s that I want to see him play up front for them because when a lad is scoring goals you've got to keep playing him in attack.

"Ricky is keen to learn and trains well but is still a bit raw. He is a promising lad and we'll certainly be keeping an eye on him."

Calne Under-18s coach Tim Spear has been coaching Summers for eight years and believes he has a chance of a future in the game.

"All my lads are 15 and 16 so this year is a building season and next season we are hoping to do something," Spear said.

"I've had Ricky since he was eight when he was at Castle Combe. I've seen him develop and his attitude has always been superb and he never misses a training session. He's your every wish as a manager and he still listens and learns and loves his football.

"People have been trying to poach him for years but he has stayed loyal. He is a Calne lad and loves Calne Football Club.

"I'm sure he's got a future in football. Obviously it all depends how people develop but Ricky has definitely got the right attitude."