STEPHEN Lyons is an English man making tremendous progress in the world of American football. Not the Grid Iron sport, actually in soccer which they call it over there.

Lyons, from Marton in Middlesbrough, has been in the United States since 1998 where he has been working his way through a scholarship.

In that time at Tennessee's Wesleyan College, the 24-year-old has captained the side to glory in both the Conference and the regional play-offs.

Lyons, who went over there with Middlesbrough friend Lee Sanderson, has enjoyed every minute of it and he is due to return across the Atlantic Ocean on January 14.

"It's been fantastic and I feel I have learnt a great deal," said the former Darlington youth team midfielder.

"This season we have helped the College to their most successful time during the last 25 years.

"Hopefully when I graduate I will be able to play for a team in the A League (a level similar to the English Third Division) and then work my way up to the Major Soccer League."

Lyons grew up playing for South Park Rangers in the Teesside Junior Alliance League.

And it was always his intention to go to the States after an injury cut-short his young career at Feethams.

Lyons added: "It is so good out there for anyone who wants to make a career out of sport and get an education.

"I wanted to get a degree, but I also wanted to try to make sure I kept playing football and hopefully something will come off for me in the future.

"It have met so many new people and college coach, Tom Condone, has said that he will try to get us trials for some American teams.

"The game differs hugely out there to the English game. I think it's more technical over there.

"I'm more of a hard-tackler than a creative player, so really the game we play doesn't affect my game."