Sherratt's on course for pro dream

Kidsgrove Athletic’s Jack Sherratt has booked his place in the semi-finals of Samsung’s ‘Win a Pro Contract’ competition.

The 19-year-old student with the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South side has won through to the final stages of the competition which offers two players professional deals, one each with Leyton Orient and Swindon Town.

More than 5,000 hopefuls entered with Sherratt making the semi-finals cut after impressing Swindon and Leyton Orient scouts at an 11-a-side match at Hyde FC.

The midfielder is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his friend Chris Smith, the former Stone Dominoes midfielder, who won the competition last season and was signed by Paolo Di Canio at Swindon.

Sherratt said: "There were a lot of talented players there so I realise the job isn't done yet. There's a long way to go. I spoke to Chris the other day and he gave me some advice for the next round. He told me to just relax and play my natural game. To win a pro contract through the Samsung competition would be a dream come true."

Sherratt will play in front of Di Canio and Orient manager Russell Slade at Swindon's County Ground on December 16th in his semi-final trial. The twenty-two players will be cut to eleven for the final against a Leyton Orient side at Orient's Matchroom Stadium in January.

Di Canio and Slade will then invite a group of players to train with their respective first-team squads. The managers will pick one player each and offer them a one-year contract.