UPTON Rocks teenager James Jenkins is living the dream after being offered his first professional football contract at Accrington Stanley.

The 18 -year-old striker, who has been a scholar at the Lancashire club for the last two years, will sign up on July 1 and take his place in James Beattie’s squad in League 2.

Originally from Liverpool, Jenkins has lived in Widnes for the past 10 years and as a young boy played for Pex Hill at Cronton for five years up to under 15s age group.

A former All Saints and Bankfield pupil, Jenkins’ talents for the school team were spotted by Adam Gilchrist who sent him up to Accrington’s academy for a trial.

A big influence on his playing development as a junior growing up in Widnes was Pex Hill coach Shaun Cosgrove.

Jenkins told the club’s website: “It’s every kid’s dream, isn’t it, to be a professional footballer.

“Accomplishing that is something I’ve always wanted to do since I was really young.

“There are some experienced players here and obviously the gaffer himself was a great striker and I’d like to learn a lot from him.”