Ryan follows in brother's Lincoln footsteps

Ryan Williams (11), impressed officials at the Coca-Cola League Two club so much that they offered him a trial after seeing him in action for only 90 minutes!

And his delighted parents, Neil (38) and Melanie (32), have now received a letter from the club offering Ryan a place at their centre of excellence.

Neil said: "He has done fantastically well. There is work to be done but if he wants it, I really think he can make it. The potential is there."

Striker Ryan, who goes to Leen Mills Primary School in Hucknall, has excelled this season for Hucknall Central Tigers Under-12s, who play in the Young Elizabethan League and are coached by Neil.

Ryan has netted 16 times, despite playing with boys a year older than him. For Lincoln, he will now be playing against kids from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

The FA-backed Lincoln centre of excellence provides coaching for more than 100 players, from under-nine to under-16 level, complete with guidance on diet, injury treatment and gym programmes. More than 1,000 hours of coaching a year are provided.

Ryan is following in the footsteps of his older brother Kristen (14) who, as reported in the Dispatch three weeks ago, has also joined The Imps' centre of excellence.

And another brother, 12-year-old Gareth, could be next to be snapped up because he is also on trial at Sincil Bank.

The family used to live on Chatsworth Court in Hucknall but have recently moved to Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Ryan has another brother, Neil (21), and three sisters, Michaela (18), Leanne (15) and Caitlin (nine).

Dad Neil, who will be taking Ryan to training in Lincoln on Wednesday evenings, added: "Hopefully, the three lads will all be making the national headlines one day!"