IT'S every young boy's dream.

Signing for the football club you worship, meeting your heroes and standing on the hallowed turf being applauded by thousands of fans.

That dream has come true for nine-year-old Burnley FC fan Jack Johnstone, of Oswaldtwistle, who has signed a 12-month contract with the club's Centre of Excellence after being scouted in a search for the next big star.

And Jack, a pupil at St Peter's and St Paul's Primary School, Rishton, was introduced to the fans when he was paraded at half time in Burnley's Bank Holiday clash with Gillingham at Turf Moor.

Jack, whose favourite players are Robbie Blake and Richard Chaplow, was picked out of hundreds of youngsters for a trial with the club after impressing scouts at a club community event called Soccer Star - a football version of the hit TV show "Pop Idol" - held in Accrington.

He then became the only player out of 50 boys at the trial to be signed for the Centre of Excellence.

His proud parents Duncan and Lynne, of Wolfenden Farm, off Blackburn Road, are delighted with the news.

Duncan, 41, a self-employed roofer, said: "It's a big thing for Jack. He has done really well and we were all quite surprised at how well his football has been going.

"He met his favourite players on the pitch at Turf Moor and when they introduced him to the fans he had 11,000 supporters clapping him. It was a dream come true for him."

Jack's success must come as no surprise to mother Lynne, however. Her grandfather Hector Duncan was capped by Scotland in 1930.

Her uncles, another Hector Duncan and Jimmy Duncan, both played for Scotland's junior team in the 1950s.

She said: "People often ask me where he gets his football skills from but it's quite clear to me that they come from my grandad and uncles. I'm really proud of Jack, it's a great achievement."

Jack, who has a sister and two brothers, will now be nurtured by the club to try and turn him into a future star. He has been dubbed 'Scholesy' by friends and coaches because of his red hair and a footballing style like that of Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes.