A TALENTED young Gornal footballer is set to have his dream come true when he plays on Old Trafford turf after winning a soccer skills competition.

Joshua Jones, who is fondly known as JJ, spent his summer holidays at a Manchester United residential soccer school, where he was able to pit his talents against hundreds of youngsters from around the world.

During the week-long residential, at Denstone College in Staffordshire, the budding stars took part in soccer skills including dribbling, shooting, control, crossing and passing and were given marks by coaches.

And during a presentation event at Old Trafford, the football mad 11 year-old, from Coopers Bank Road, was named as the winner for the under 12 age group and is set to return to Manchester next weekend to take part in the World Skills Final.

During the trip, JJ will be competing in the final on the pitch prior to the kick off of Man Utd verses Norwich, and will also get tour of the famous stadium.

Proud dad, Dave, said: “JJ did the residential last year and was so chuffed to win the competition this time. When they announced his name as the winner I got a bit excited and everyone looked round to see who was shouting.

“The residential course isn’t cheap, so he forfeits birthday and Christmas presents so he can go there.

“But he is football mad. Playing football is all he ever wants to do.

“We have even had to lay artifical grass in the back garden, so he can’t ruin the lawn with all his playing.”

The Man Utd and Wolves fan also regularly plays for the talented and gifted at Walsall FC, has sessions with the advanced development centre at Wolverhampton Wanderers and plays for Dudley Dynamos in the Stourbridge League.