A FAIRHAVEN schoolboy got his hands on one of the most famous pieces of silverware in football this week -- and he'll be taking centre stage before 80,000 people at a major final next year.

Tom Coyle, 11, joined footballing heroes from the last 40 years in lifting the Carling Cup on Monday to mark his vital role at one of the biggest matches of the season.

The cup left the Liverpool FC trophy cabinet, courtesy of the competition's sponsors, for just a few hours on Monday afternoon so Tom could get his hands on it in preparation for his big day.

Tom will be at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium for next February's final to present the Alan Hardaker Trophy to the man of the match.

Past winners of the prestigious trophy include Robbie Fowler and Brad Friedel. Last year it was won by Liverpool goalkeeper, Jerzey Dudek.

Tom was asked to hand over the trophy as he is the great-grandson of the late Alan Hardaker, who was secretary of the Football League from 1957 to 1979.

Tom's grandmother, Lesley Greenslade, Mr Hardaker's daughter, first told Tom about his family's famous connection with football.

"Tom was asking about this one day, and I explained what my father did at the Football League," she said: "I contacted them at the time to ask if it would be possible for Tom to present the trophy.

"At that time it wasn't feasible, but they have now invited him to make the presentation."

Lesley will join Tom for the presentation while mum Louise, dad Mike and brother and sister, Max, 4, and Lydia, 9, will also be attending the big day.

Mr Hardaker created the League Cup in the 1960s and, despite resistance from some big clubs to a new football competition, helped to make it an established part of the footballing year.

Unfortunately for Manchester United fan Tom, he won't be presenting the trophy to one of his club's heroes after their defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion in the last round.

But Tom now hopes that favourites, Chelsea, get to the big game and he will have the chance to present the award to another of his favourite players, England midfielder, Frank Lampard.

And football isn't the only sport in which Tom excels. Since starting at his new school, King Edward's, Tom has become a keen rugby player as well.