SAM Ashford says receiving a call-up for England representative honours shows him that he is doing the right things as a non-league footballer.

While getting selected for the FA ambassadorial side that will be travelling to play two games in the Falkland Islands next month was an unexpected honour for the Witham Town winger, it has been a very welcome one.

And the 22-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur trainee admitted to being blown away by getting the call to join the side that will be led by England C manager Paul Fairclough in the South Atlantic.

"It came out of the blue as I didn't know there were opportunities like this," said Ashford, who is enjoying his second stint at the Village Glass Stadium with Witham.

"It was first up on social media and when I saw my name, I thought it was crazy.

"I was over the moon.

"They've said that there are people watching us as scouts, but to be fair, I had no idea.

"When you get academies sending people to have a look at players, they have to be signed in, but this was all out of the blue so I haven't a clue what games the England scouts have watched to see me.

"But it's a massive honour for me.

"I've had highs and lows in my career so far and it hasn't always been easy, but this is really nice.

"When I was at Tottenham, I was so young and I didn't understand how good it was.

"It was great to be there and it gave me good habits, but it wasn't nice to be let go and I had to take time to get established in non-league.

"But this tells me that I must be doing something right.

"For young players, it's the sort of thing that reinforces to you that people are out there watching you.

"I have been working really hard behind the scenes and it's nice to have something positive to say you are moving in the right direction.

"It just feels unbelievable."