AN Oxford-born footballer has earned recognition on the other side of the world after being called up by Australia.

Grace Abbey, 17, is the great granddaughter of Fred Jones, who was a director at Oxford United during the 1960s and still has U’s supporting family members in the city and Eynsham.

She moved Down Under with her family in 2005 and is now playing for Adelaide United in the W-League.

After impressing for South Australia, the defender has caught the attention of national selectors.

Last month Abbey was picked for the Young Matildas squad who travelled to China for the AFC Under 19 Women’s Championship qualifying tournament.

There she was an unused substitute as Australia thrashed Northern Mariana Islands 16-0, before a 7-1 success over Jordan.

It comfortably secured a place at the finals, which will be held in China next October, where Abbey will be hoping to mark her mark.