SOUTHAMPTON'S singing superstar Craig David could well be belting out his hits in stadium gigs around the world in the future. (29/11/00)

His meteoric rise to fame has already seen him selling out venues across the country during his debut tour, which hit Southampton Guildhall last week.

And while concerts at football grounds could be some way off, his former school chums have revealed that Craig got some early practice in.

Following an appeal in the Echo, his ex-team-mates from the school's soccer side, where Craig played in goal, have revealed all.

Paul Atkinson, who was the side's centre forward, said: "He was always singing, even when he was playing in goal.

"We used to have a good laugh in the team and when he was in goal he used to make up songs, normally about the opposition players.

"I remember one time he sang for the most of the game."

Paul, 19, of Randolf Street, Shirley, has just left college and hopes to follow Craig into the music industry.

"I'm a part-time DJ at the moment and I hope it will lead to bigger things," he said.

"I think his music is brilliant and I play his stuff, especially the ones with Artful Dodger.

"At school, I knew he was a good singer, but never thought he would become massive.

"I was in the same tutor group as him and he was like a businessman then because he would always be coming into school with chocolate bars and trying to sell them."

Craig's playing career is in jeopardy at the moment as he is currently under suspension from Hampshire Football Association.

The Echo revealed yesterday that he still owes them £18 from when he played Sunday league football and his team were put under general suspension for not paying for pitches.

But another former team-mate from the school's team hopes to keep working his way up the footballing ladder.

Darren Curtis, 19, who was the team's central defender, is currently a semi-professional at Salisbury FC.

"We had a really good team there and I think we won both the league and cup," said Darren, of Malmesbury Road, Shirley.

"Craig was a good goalkeeper and a good laugh as well.

"He would be singing as soon as he came into school and you could tell he had a big talent.

"I'm really happy for him and what he has done, but I suppose I am a little bit envious as well.

"When I left school I signed for Fulham but they released me after a couple of years, but I hope to get back into professional football or get involved in the coaching side."

Steven Hagan, 20, who was Bellemoor's right back, now works as a customer services representative at a bank.

"Everyone got on really well with each other in the team," said Steven, from Lordswood.

"It does feel a bit weird seeing somebody you used to go to school with becoming so famous.

"You could always tell that he had a pretty good voice but I never thought he would do what he has done."