SPORTING stardom beckons for a 15-year-old from Fulwood.

John Hough, pictured, has earned himself a place at the Heinz Ketchup Football Festival at Keele University - the English Schools Football Association course.

The course gives 64 talented young footballers from across the country the chance to develop their skills under the watchful eye of top UEFA A qualified football coaches, and has already played host to the likes of Manchester United's Andy Cole, Liverpool's Michael Owen and Arsenal's Stephen Hughes.

The place is part of a double celebration for striker John as he is currently taking part in trials for non other than triple champions Manchester United.

John, who attends Broughton High School, said: "I'm very pleased to be taking part in the course. "I had to attend a trial at the Army Sports Ground in Catterick after being nominated by my school for Lancashire schoolboys.

"I'd definitely like to be a professional footballer and am having trials with Manchester United.

"The scouts told me that they've had promising reports from the coach which is great."

Malcolm Berry, chief executive of the ESFA, said that throughout the course, the coaches would be looking for tomorrow's stars to play in the ESFA's international squad.

He added: "Every boy at the festival has already shown a high standard of footballing potential to get on the course in the first place.

"Our job is to help to develop their skills in a very positive environment."

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