ALBION'S new kid on the block Ben Andrews has spoken of his pride at playing for the Seagulls.

The 17-year-old youth teamer from West Chiltington is thrilled to have been awarded a professional contract by boss Brian Horton for the rest of this season and the next. Andrews was born in Burton-on-Trent, the side legendary goalscorer Peter Ward played for before joining Albion. But he feels a close affinity with his adopted club after moving south with his family five years ago. "I've been with Brighton ever since I came down here," he said. "I started off at the centre of excellence and I was pleased when I got taken on the YTS. "Getting a pro contract in my first year makes me very happy. I'm proud to say I play for Brighton, even though results have not been going well." Andrews has already captained the reserve team twice, but it still came as a bit of a shock when the contract offer was broken to him after Monday night's game against Millwall. "I didn't have any idea it was coming," he said. "I just knew that the secretary Derek Allan was looking for my mum." Andrews's parents, Jane and Phil, have always supported his bid for soccer stardom. Said Jane: "We were very surprised but also very pleased. He had just got trials with Derby County when we moved down here. "Probably one of the first things I did was to ask Brighton if they would be interested in him. He was also a very good rugby player at one time, but he had to make the choice." Central defender Andrews models himself on his heroes, Tony Adams and Frank Leboeuf. He plans to be pushing for a first team place next season, and if Albion are suffering another goal shortage then they could always turn to him. "When I was playing Sunday football in Burton-on-Trent I was a centre forward," he revealed. "I scored about 80 goals in one season."

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