POPULAR striker and coach Sam Heap has packed his bags and crossed the Atlantic after landing his dream football job.

Heap has joined the coaching staff of MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps and has taken up his job with immediate effect.

That means he has had to leave his role on Clitheroe’s coaching staff but Heap, who has played for a host of East Lancashire clubs, said: “It has been a dream ever since I began coaching aged 15 to work full time for a professional football club, now that dream is becoming reality.

“I’d like to thank every player, coach or club that has given me the opportunity over the past nearly 14 years to improve my skills and make this possible.”

Heap has developed a big reputation in coaching and spent almost a year in Canada coaching junior football.

He moved into the dugout at Clitheroe as part of Simon Garner’s backroom team earlier this season but had also made a playing comeback after finally recovering from a serious knee injury.