TYRONE Mings, son of Bluebirds boss Adie Mings, has begun a football scholarship at the prestigious Millfield School and is still dreaming of becoming a professional player.

The former Sheldon School pupil, 16, had been on the books at Southampton FC but was released the financially-troubled club in December after their youth budget was slashed.

However, with help from the Boroughlands Trust in Chippenham, and his former clubs, Tyrone was one of just three people chosen for a sporting scholarship at the school, known for producing top athletes, and left for Somerset on Sunday.

“We have to pay a percentage so I tried the Wiltshire FA and the national FA for funding but got nothing, so tried Burough Lands as a last resort really,” said mum Dawn Johnson.

“We built up a portfolio of letters of support from Chelsea, Portsmouth and Southampton as well as copies of his school reports and were accepted.

“It’s only because of finances why he was released by Southampton. They said he had the technical ability but didn’t have the money to wait two years for him to fill out in size.”

Mings Jnr, a left-back, will study Sport and Leisure, Business Studies and Mathematics at Millfield along with football training and gym work.

“We’re incredibly proud of Tyrone,” said Johnson. “It was sad when he left but we hope this will help him make it in the game.”