Budding Michael Owen's gathered at Basildon's Gloucester Park for the latest Basildon council-run soccer school.

The course, run as part of the council's football development scheme, proved a huge success as over 35 youngsters attended the four-day course.

Event organiser Gary Piggott was full of praise for the skills shown by the boys, saying: "We always seem to have a high standard at these courses and this latest school was no exception.

"Judging by the reaction we have received from both participants and parents, the event went extremely well."

Gary is particularly proud of the playing standard of the youngsters, and takes pride in knowing that the experienced coaches used to train the boys have played their part in developing their soccer talent.

He said: "I have been running courses here at Gloucester Park for over four years now and, in that time, have seen boys go on to have trials at Arsenal, Ipswich and Southend United."

"It's very rewarding so see young soccer talent unfolding in front of your eyes."

This week sees Gary at the helm of a girls-only soccer school being staged at Gloucester Park.

The course is the first of its kind that Gary and Basildon council have staged but the early signs are encouraging.

"We already have over a dozen girls signed-up," he said. "These courses tend to grow with word of mouth so we are confident that these girls-only courses will increase in numbers."

Although the girls' event is now in full swing, spectators are welcome to come and witness the action.

The course runs until Thursday from 10am until 3pm on the all-weather pitch. For further information, contact Gary on 07775 634817.

Threesy does it - (left to right) nine-year-olds Lewis Billington, Adam Clark and Sam Johnson show-off their ball juggling skills as fellow course members look on.

By Stuart Hillis

Reporter's e-mail: stuart.hillis@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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