International star Luca Stuttard aiming to make his mark with Boro

Luca, who attended St Augustine’s School, and is now a student at Bishop Burton College, has played for the British Virgin Islands in two Concacaf qualifying tournaments in Costa Rica in Central America

The teenager joined the Scarborough Football Scholarship as an eight-year-old, progressing through the age groups, including captaining the Under-16s, before stepping up to senior football and was a regular in the Boro Reserves team in the Humber Premier League last season.

His coach throughout his time at the Scarborough Football Scholarship was Steve Brennan, who in February 2025 was asked to recommend any suitable players, possessing a full British passport, who may be good enough to represent the British Virgin Islands in the qualifying stages of the 2026 Concacaf U17’s championship.

Brennan was happy to put Luca’s name forward, saying: “He’s a great lad with a brilliant attitude, as well as being a very good player. It’s good that we have developed overseas links, and I am honoured that the country has approached me. I’m sure Luca will do very well for them.”

His international debut was a great success, as he scored twice in a 4-0 win against Saint Maarten, and he also played against Trinidad & Tobago, hosts Costa Rica, and then netted a stunning last-minute equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw against Guyana.

Aged 16, he was now playing adult football, turning out a few times for Whitby Fishermen, then scoring three goals in 26 appearances for Boro Reserves last season, and he again received an International call-up.

He was selected for the British Virgin Islands U20s team to compete in the Concacaf U20s Championship qualifying phase, again held in Costa Rica, in February/March 2026, and he played in all four matches, against Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia.

Boro boss Jono Greening kept an eye on his progress, and in July, Luca was invited to pre-season training with the first team.

After impressing from the bench in six of Boro’s pre-season friendlies, boss Greening offered him a first-team contract, saying, “Luca has gained valuable training and game experience, and has done really well. It is a huge step-up to be involved with the first team, but he is a good lad, very eager to listen and learn, and he has a great attitude and desire, which will help him massively.”

So far he has made three substitute appearances in National League North, including in the 5-1 thumping of Southport, when he played a sublime through-ball into the path of Rio Allan late in the game.

Reserve team boss Paul Exley has no doubts about how good a player he can be, saying: “Luca’s progression is something I am personally very proud of.

"I’ve watched him develop through the Academy and into the reserves, and he has shown a fantastic attitude and willingness to learn, and a real desire to improve.

"His pre-season performances with the first team were excellent, showing the coaching staff he is ready for the challenge.

"His first-team contract is hugely rewarding, and exactly what we want our Academy pathway to achieve.

"Luca thoroughly deserves his chance, and I’m really looking forward to see him continue to develop, and make his mark with the first team.”