ULVERSTON goalkeeper Curtis Anderson has become a world champion with the England under-17 side in India.

Anderson kept goal for the young lions at the tournament, and played in Saturday's 5-2 win over Spain in the final in Kolkata.

The former Crooklands Casuals goalkeeper, who now plies his trade in the junior ranks of Premier League outfit Manchester City, was an ever-present figure in the squad which saw England lift U17 World Cup trophy for the first time.

England were the victors but the final did not start smoothly. Sergio Gomez scored twice in the opening half hour to put the Spaniards in a commanding position.

Liverpool youngster and tournament top scorer Rhian Brewster halved the deficit before the break, and then England let loose in the second half.

Phil Foden scored twice, and with goals from Morgan Gibbs White and Marc Guehi, the young lions were out of site.

Speaking to the FA's official website, Anderson said: "When the second [Spain] goal went in I knew we’d be up against it.

“I thought it could maybe go one of two ways. I thought it could either go the way we wanted it to go or it could get even worse.

“But as soon as we kicked off we showed a brilliant attitude and I knew we’d be OK.

“We started well and even when the first [Spain] goal went in we showed character. We knew they couldn’t keep up what they were doing, and we knew that if we got a goal before half-time we’d be fine.”

The triumph of the U17s followed a summer in which England's U20s also won their age group world cup.

Anderson added: "It’s a very good thing for the England set-up.

“It shows that we haven’t got just one good team. We’ve got multiple good teams.

“The England way from seniors down to us is obviously working.”