A FOOTBALL-MAD youngster is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and live out the dream of every young boy.

Ten-year-old Mark Howley adores football and everything associated with it, and constantly dreams of becoming a star player in the Premier League.

However, if that dream does not come true, he would like to be able to step into his grandfather Kevin's boots and become a top referee or linesman.

Mr Howley, from Billingham, Teesside, was the youngest man to referee an FA Cup Final, in 1960, when he took charge of the game between Wolves and Blackburn when he was 35. He was also a linesman during the 1966 World Cup finals.

He began his refereeing career during the Second World War, while he was serving in the Royal Navy.

After the war ended, he took his referee's certificate in 1946 and five years later was running the line in the football league.

Mr Howley, who died in July 1997, aged 73, was also on Fifa's list of referees from 1957 to 1971, and in this time travelled the world extensively to officiate games.

After retiring at the age of 47, Mr Howley went on to work at ICI, on Teesside, as a records clerk.

His proud grandson, also from Billingham, and a pupil at the town's Holy Rosary Primary School, is hardly ever seen without a football or something associated with the sport.

He is one of the school's top players and can regularly be found living out the dream of playing for his favourite team Manchester United.

Mark said: I would like to do something in football when I am older. If I can't be a player, then I would like to be like my granddad and become a referee. I have his medals and pictures and they are some of my favourite things.

"I would love to play in the FA Cup Final and so would most of my friends. My grand-dad was really lucky to be given the chance to referee an FA Cup match.

"I am very proud of what he did and I hope I can follow in his footsteps."