HOPEFUL Jon Guthrie says that he was blown away by the support from the Pewsey community – including the charity set up after the death of his best friend – as he chases his dream deal at Crewe Alexandra.

The 19-year-old defender, from Milton Lilbourne, will link-up with the Gresty Road club this Sunday and remain in Cheshire until the conclusion of the January transfer window, bidding to impress enough to earn a contract with the League Two side.

The teenager, who was scouted playing for Wessex League Pewsey Vale, will have his accommodation and living costs paid for by a package put together by a host of local organisations, including the Moonrakers pub, Fishlock & Dyer Electricians, Pewsey Radiovision and Charlie’s Charity, the foundation set up in the memory of Guthrie’s St John’s School friend and former Pewsey teammate Charlie Lamb, who was killed in a car accident in 2009.

“I’ve been on edge wondering what was going to happen at Crewe and now I’m really looking forward to going up there,” said Guthrie.

“It’s really overwhelming that so many people are hoping I do well and Charlie was my best friend so that’s really nice too.

“(Crewe) have said that they are interested because they think I’m good enough and it’s not like I’m paying for another trial.”

Jane Lamb, who set up Charlie’s Charity after the death of her son, said: “It’s a really big chance and because it’s football, we thought that it was right to try and help Jon out.

“They (Guthrie and Lamb) played for Pewsey together and went to the same school – they were really good friends.”

Moonrakers landlord Jerry Kunkler came up with the idea of raising money to help fund Guthrie’s 10-week trial.

“I thought that it would be great to put together a little ‘student loan’ for him and we’ve raised about £1750 in pledges so far,” he said.

“We watched Jon on MUTV against Manchester United and he reminded me of a little Franz Beckenbauer – I call him Franz now.

“Coming together to help someone out is what we do in Pewsey and it’s why we’re one of the strongest communities around.”