TEENAGE Calne footballer Steven Dean had a day to remember when he got to train with Premiership stars Jay-Jay Okocha and Ryan Giggs.
The 15-year-old, from Tern Close, Calne, won the chance to train at Premiership Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium in a national competition run by Sports Soccer.
His name was drawn out of a hat of entries and his prize was a pair of the latest Reebok football boots and a day's coaching at Bolton last Thursday.
In the morning Steven joined the other competition winners at the stadium where they were given advice and training from Bolton's Premier League and FIFA qualified coaches.
After lunch at the club restaurant the youngsters then got to chat to Manchester United legend Giggs.
If that was not enough they then returned to the practice pitches where Bolton favourite Okocha offered them some further coaching and tips in another training session.
Steven said it had been a day he would never forget and he hopes he will now be able to improve his game.
Steven said: "When I found out I had won the draw I couldn't believe it.
"I was really excited about going to train at Bolton's ground and getting the chance to meet some Premiership players and coaches and pick up tips.
"We were told players like Giggs and Okocha might be there but I couldn't really believe it until I saw them."
The teenager said the whole day had been like a dream and his friends did not believe him at first when he told them what happened.
"After we'd had coaching by the Bolton coaches and had gone up to lunch we got to meet Ryan Giggs," he added.
"He was really nice and we all got to ask him questions. It was amazing meeting him and we all got photos and autographs.
"After that we went out to train with Jay-Jay Okocha and while we were playing he was teaching us all his tricks.
"As soon as I got back I told all my friends what had happened and they didn't believe me at first."
Steven plays football for Chippenham Town Rangers U16s and Chippenham Town U18s in the Youth Floodlit League.
He started playing football at the age of nine and since then has played for Wiltshire Schoolboys, Calne, Chippenham and his school, John Bentley.
The Swindon Town fan now hopes he can put Giggs' and Okocha's tips to good use and go on to have a carve out a career in football.
"I'd love to be a professional footballer," he continued.
"I've a few games left with Chippenham Town Rangers Under 16s this season and we are fourth in the table.
"I've also been playing for Chippenham Under 18s and I want to continue improving my football next season."
Although he had an unforgettable day Steven did admit there was one small disappointment for him.
"I play in defence and we had been told that Gareth Southgate would have been attending with Jay-Jay and Ryan," he added.
"But unfortunately he was injured recently and had to pull out. It would have been nice to have got some defensive tips from him but it was still an amazing day."
scalder@newswilts.co.uk
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