AN amateur football star is to captain the Great Britain team at the Special Olympics for a second time.

Andy Hetherington, who at a towering 6ft 9in is two inches taller than England striker Peter Crouch, will lead the British team at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, in Athens, in June.

The joiner, from Stanley, County Durham, who makes the most of his height by playing at centre half, captained the side in 2007’s games in Zurich, leading them to a bronze medal.

His dream of doing better this summer was given a boost yesterday when he was presented with a £1,000 contribution towards his Olympic trip by Derwentside Homes.

Mr Hetherington, 21, was born with learning difficulties, including dyslexia and dyspraxia.

He said: “I have always enjoyed playing football. I live and breathe the game. So I am very excited to be invited to play and represent Great Britain in the Special Olympics, especially to be asked to be captain.

“I captained the team in Switzerland when I was 17 and we came third, but this year, we have a lot of the same players and loads more experience, so it would be really good to bring home the gold.

“To get to Athens, we need to raise more than £2,000 so I would like to thank Derwentside Homes for this donation.”

His father, David, said: “We are so proud of what he has achieved. He is dedicated and trains really hard, and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that he comes back with a gold medal.”