Jimmy and Bobby Sains are no doubt like a lot of brothers when it comes to a spot of sibling rivalry.

The two enjoy something of a competitive edge, despite an eight-year gap, but also support one another in their chosen pursuits.

Jimmy is the eldest at 22 and has already enjoyed a fair degree of success in the boxing ring, including a national title and international representative honours.

And that has inspired Bobby, 14, to want more from his own footballing career, having already secured an academy spot with Ipswich Town under-15s.

Dad Chris was a youth-team player at West Ham United himself, counting a certain Rio Ferdinand among his teammates, before playing at non-league level. 

And he has been a stalwart at Hornchurch Cricket Club for a quarter of a century, helping them to the ECB Vitality T20 title last year.

Those sporting genes have clearly been passed down.

"I was a hyperactive kid, I got into fights at school, and dad took me to the boxing club to sort me out," says Jimmy, who started at Brentwood ABC and had two years at Newham before joining Repton at the age of 16, where he says Steve Waters played a big part in his development.

Asked for his career highlight to date, he adds: "Winning a national final at 60kg and then making my England debut a couple of weeks later, when I was 18."

And when it comes to explaining why boxing appeals so much, he says: "I played football before, but you could play well and lose 4-0. With boxing you don't rely on anyone else. It's a hard sport, it's all on me."

The past couple of years have seen Jimmy working with Tony Sims and Kevin Mitchell at the Matchroom gym and he is now on the GB Pathway, hoping to make it to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

"As you get older it definitely gets harder competition, fighting against grown men," he says.

"But the hard works does end up paying off and it's worth it in the end, all the parties I missed.

"I admire [Saul] Canelo [Alvarez] and know he's a lot of people's favourite. I've done a lot of sparring with John Ryder and he looks out for the younger ones, giving lots of tips.

"The plan is to get as much international experience before turning over. I'd love to be unified world champion - after an Olympic gold, why not?"

As for his younger brother, he adds: "Bob's not that bad at boxing, but he doesn't like getting hit. He's more of a lover than a fighter!

"We've got a little garage with a few weights and do a bit of training once or twice a week.

"Bobby is alright [at football]. He used to be one of the smallest, but he's had a growth spurt and gets stuck in after building his strength up."

Mum Leanne is also praised for her help, with Jimmy explaining: "When I have to make weight, nine months of the year, mum does breakfast, lunch and dinner tailored around my weight loss programme. 

"My food intake is perfect for 90 per cent of the year. She doesn't leave any stone unturned, she's amazing."

Away from the ring, Jimmy enjoys 'a bit of golf' and plays to a handicap of 11, claiming: "I'm better than dad and Bob!"

But it turns out the younger of the Sains boys plays off just six, nicely fitting into that profile of footballers enjoying 18 holes now and then.

"I started when I was four, I always wanted a ball with me," he says of his footballing journey.

"I was at Hutton U6s, then West Ham from eight to 11 and now I'm at Ipswich. I'm a centre midfielder and a West Ham fan, the whole family is."

Unsurprisingly, fellow central midfielders Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Declan Rice are named as favourite players.

"I get stuck in, but I've got good vision. I'm more of a creator but I do score as well, so a bit of both," adds Bobby, who trains three times a week and plays at weekends, having followed Jimmy to Shenfield High School.

"It's a good set-up at Ipswich. I've just signed a two-year deal as a scholar. I'm in year 10 and have my GCSEs next year.

"School is alright, my grades are good, PE is favourite subject. Mr Sapsford is good, he helps with letting me have time off. I'm still allowed to play for the school, but we got knocked out of the national cup. I couldn't play that one, though."

Asked to describe his career goals and development plan, he begins with: "To play up for the U16s, heading is an area I need to get better at."

Then, when prompted a bit more, he adds: "To captain Ipswich and play for England at a World Cup."

Three-mile runs to the shop and back - in 'about 16-17 minutes' - have helped build stamina, with big brother offering further guidance.

"Jimmy pushes me a lot. He's achieved a lot and I want to be the same," he says.

"He helps me a lot, he's experienced a lot so far. I'd say Jimmy's strength is his power but he can't move that quick!"

Garry Sapsford, head of PE at Shenfield High, has seen the likes of Sean Clare, Tarryn Allarakhia, Max Watters and Evie Clarke go on to earn professional contracts from the school's football academy, with others playing at semi-pro level, for England Schoolboys and gaining soccer scholarships in the USA.

And he is well placed to evaluate he progress of the two Sains boys.

"It is rare as a teacher you get to see and work with two siblings who excel in sport as much Jimmy and Bobby Sains," he said.

"I have known their parents for a long time and know they are incredibly supportive of both boys. 

"Dad Chris played football and cricket to a very high level himself so he understands the sacrifices, commitment and resilience required to excel in sport and he has been able to pass that knowledge on to Jimmy and Bobby.

"My son is the same age as Bobby and played with him since they were three years old. Bobby was always the most gifted player we came across in those early years before he signed at West Ham.

"But it is more than just natural ability that has enabled both boys to get where they are today."

What the future holds for Jimmy and Bobby remains to be seen, but more success in their chosen sports could well be on the agenda.