A YOUNG footballer has become the face of the country’s biggest sports charity.

Eight-year-old Corey Humphrey appears on the Football Foundation’s adverts for the 2014-15 season.

The Brandon United under 9s captain said: “I’m so excited. I’m used to seeing my favourite players in matchday programmes, so it will be strange seeing myself there next time I open one.”

Corey, a defender from Meadowfield, near Durham, was given a large canvas print of the advert, which promotes the Foundation’s work improving grassroots sports facilities.

His father John Humphrey said: “It’s brilliant news – this poster will take pride of place on out mantelpiece.”

The photograph was taken at the opening of a third generation, or 3G, artificial pitch at Meadowfield Leisure Centre conducted by former England defender Jack Charlton in October 2012.

Rory Carroll, from the Football Foundation, said: “The image of Corey on the new 3G pitch that we funded in Durham perfectly encapsulates the message of how, with our funders’ investment, we are building the Foundation of Football.”