Liverpool school's World Cup pride as former pupil lines up in Norway's star-filled squad

A former Liverpool schoolboy is about to achieve one of his biggest footballing dreams as part of Norway’s star-filled World Cup squad.

Thelo Aasgaard, who was a student at Calderstones School in Allerton, was once a key player in one of the school’s most successful teams.

With his heart set on becoming a professional footballer from an early age, he overcame the disappointment of being let go by LFC Academy to work his way up to the highest level.

Now he’s joining massive names like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard as the Norwegian national team prepares for its first World Cup for 28 years.

They will face Iraq in their opening group stage match tonight (June 16), with tough games against France and Senegal still to come.

It’s already been an incredible few weeks for 24-year-old Thelo, whose family live in Mossley Hill. He was announced in the squad by the King of Norway!

For the teachers who knew him during his time at Calderstones, it’s an accolade that’s genuinely deserved.

James Sherrard, who was his PE teacher and helped run his football team, says he was outstanding off the pitch as well as on it.

He said:

“He always had a special skill about him as a player, he had so much flair and technical ability and added to that was his determination and hard work. He did stand out as somebody who could go the distance.

“As a school we couldn’t be more proud that Thelo is the one who’s made it through because he was just one of the loveliest boys you’ll ever meet, and still is.

“From his first day in year 7 he stood out as being like an angel of a boy, he was just so pleasant and so polite. He always had a lovely smile on his face and he just continued having that for the full five years he was at Calderstones. He loved being here and we loved having him here.”

Thelo, who has a sister and brother who also went to the school, began his footballing career as a youngster at Mossley Hill Football Club before being spotted by Liverpool’s Academy.

James said:

“He spent six years with Liverpool and he’d done very well, then he got released aged 14 which was a difficult setback for him. But he was adamant that he wanted to continue a career in football and Wigan snapped him up as soon as he got released. He moved there and just went from strength to strength.”

After Wigan, Thelo had a spell with Luton before signing for Rangers in July last year. With a Norwegian connection through his dad, he represented the country at under-16 and under-20 levels, before winning a place in the senior squad.

His highlight for Norway so far has been scoring four goals against Moldova in an 11–1 victory in the World Cup qualifiers – one more than Erling Haaland, who only managed a hattrick in the same match!

James says since he left Calderstones, his teachers have continued to follow his career closely and they’ll be glued to their screens tonight and the next two group fixtures.

“He’s an attacking midfielder, and I’m sure he would like to try and link up with Haaland, although he’s got a lot of competition because it’s a really strong squad. Norway’s captain is the Arsenal captain, Ødegaard, who also plays in midfield but we’d be delighted for Thelo to get any minutes at all.

“A little boy from Mossley Hill just making it to Norway’s first World Cup in 28 years is pretty special. It’s just a really proud moment for the school and all his former teachers and we do follow him religiously – every result, every game, we’re always keeping track on how he’s getting on and wishing him all the best. Now the entire Calderstones community is rooting for him.”

Thelo’s achievement comes hot on the heels of success for two other Calderstones alumni – Kush and Jo who won this year’s BBC series Race Across the World.

“They are brilliant, such lovely boys, and they’re a massive credit to their families and I hope to us as a school as well,” adds James. “We are blessed to have so many great students and it’s just nice for other people to see who we get to work with.”