A DREAM has come true for a football fanatic youngster from Huntingdon, thanks to The Prince s Trust. Dennis Squires, 17, went on the Princes Trust s Get Into programme and qualified as a level one football coach. The course, one of several run by the Pri

A DREAM has come true for a football fanatic youngster from Huntingdon, thanks to The Prince's Trust.

Dennis Squires, 17, went on the Princes Trust's Get Into programme and qualified as a level one football coach. The course, one of several run by the Prince's Trust for unemployed young people, was called: Get Into Football - Tackle Life.

The sessions took place at Cambridge United's football ground and the club was so impressed with him that shortly afterwards he was offered a two-week trial with the possibility of joining the club full-time. He has since been offered a job with the club running coaching sessions with youngsters in schools.

Dennis, pictured, a former pupil at St Peter's School in Huntingdon, said: "I love football. When I was at school all I and my friends wanted to do was be part of football and now I have the chance to do this.

"I love working with kids and I love football, so everything I want to do is what I am doing."

A Chelsea fan and a striker for the Saturday league team, Huntingdon United, Dennis scored 16 goals for his team last season, and saw his team promoted from Division 2B to 1B.

He added: "It's great working with Cambridge United, the staff are right behind me and supportive in everything I do. I am very lucky."

Dennis's qualification enables him to coach children aged between six and 12 and most days are spent in schools helping to take PE lessons or running after-school classes.

His other duties include helping more senior coaches run sessions with groups of older people or disabled people and each week he also helps with administration tasks, including organising future tournaments and answering the telephone.

Since he has been part of Cambridge United, Dennis has also volunteered to act as a referee at a Sunday afternoon football tournament in Huntingdon.

Andy Coles, assistant community officer at Cambridge United, said: "I tutored Dennis for his level one coaching qualification and he came across as a really nice person, which is really important when you are working with children. His personality was spot on and his communication skills are excellent."

Mike Farrington, development manager with The Prince's Trust, added: "Dennis is a hard working young person who approaches each day with enthusiasm.

"As Dennis is a mad keen Chelsea supporter, Jose Mourinho may soon be looking over his shoulder."

INFORMATION: The Prince's Trust runs several Get Into courses, including cooking, construction and retail. For details, contact Mike Farrington on 07899 794 389.