Vicky Vickery loves talking. In fact Arundel Devils U-11s coach John Lawson's ear is burning after all the Sussex Girls' League matches.

But Vicky is in a team of bubbly players who plays hard for each other and are getting the results their performances deserve. Vicky has been reaping the rewards by scoring 16 goals in Devils' opening five matches, of which every one has seen her grab a hat-trick.

John thinks she has the potential to go right to the top of the women's game if she wants to - and Vicky at the moment is dreaming of playing for England.

The ten-year-old midfielder, who attends Arundel CE Primary School, is a tough little girl. But that's no surprise when you consider that for the last three years she has been playing with the boys - and scoring just as regularly.

John said: "She's very physical and likes to mix it. The harder opponents try to knock her off the ball, the more determined it makes Vicky to keep it.

"Her speed, passing and movement is a joy to watch. She pushes the ball into space for team-mates to run on to and that comes from playing with the boys."

Vicky does not play with the Arundel Colts boys teams now, but she explains that it is better to play with the lads.

She said: "When a boy tackles you, or gets tackled, everything continues as normal. But with the girls, if someone gets tackled the player will say sorry.

"I do miss playing with the boys, because it's fun to be a bit rougher. But I still love playing football with the girls.

"I'm scoring more goals this season, because we've got some new defensive players which allows me to push upfield more.

"Last season I was doing a lot of helping out in defence, so it's nice to score goals."

Vicky is a football fanatic. She started playing with her brother Sam a few years ago and they are always having a kickabout together in their back garden.

She is a Liverpool fan and there was a fair bit of banter in the Vickery household when Liverpool beat Manchester United, Sam's team.

"I want to play for England," she said. "That's my dream. I don't know much about women's football because it's hardly ever on television. But I know there's an England team for women."

Teresa, Vicky's mother, said they are happy with the coaching she receives from John and the long travelling from Arundel to London, Brighton or Southampton to receive more varied coaching is too far.

She said: "It's a shame Southampton, Brighton or one of the London clubs don't have something on offer for children in this area."

John added: "We are looking at bringing in guest coaches. I'm as qualified as the coaches at pro clubs, it's just nice to receive coaching from different people.

"We're looking at trying to get some variation here at Arundel."