IT was a sweet 16th birthday for Greg Tindle on Wednesday as he was awarded a two-year professional contract at Oxford United.

After seven years of progressing through the League Two club's youth ranks, Tindle has been handed his shot at the big time with his first professional contract.

The pupil at Sheldon School, Chippenham, is one of 12 youngsters to be taken on as a scholar and was told the news on the morning of his 16th birthday.

He said: "I could not have asked for a better birthday present. We did not know when we would be told the final decision.

"We all had one-to-one meetings and I was chuffed to bits when they told me they wanted to keep me on.

"I have always wanted to be a professional and now I have been given a chance. I will start off in the youth team but I hope to progress to the reserves and then the first team."

The contract becomes effective from the start of July and will see the former FC Chippenham midfielder move away from home for the first time.

He said: "I will be staying in digs in Oxford and they will also be providing me with some education so I can study for my A-levels.

"It will be a bit nerve racking but I have stayed in digs during half-terms before so I know what it is all about. I am just looking forward to getting started."

His father Steve Tindle is a UEFA-qualified coach and has had a big influence on his son's career.

He was his first manager, when boss at FC Chippenham, and is now a scout for Oxford United.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted for Greg. He has been given the chance to do something that I was never able to do.

"I feel he has a better chance of getting noticed at a smaller club like Oxford because the Manchester Uniteds of this world tend to pass a lot of the youngsters by.

"He has shown a huge commitment throughout the years to get up to Oxford three times a week.

"We have covered about 35,000 miles in the seven years but it has all been worth it."

Steve Tindle also coaches Calne Town once a week and he believes this has helped Greg progress.

He said: "Greg comes down and joins in training and I think it has helped him come on as a player. He certainly does not look out of place with players older than him."

Both father and son are ardent Newcastle United fans and Greg's ultimate dream is to one day turn out for his Toon army heroes.