A FOOTBALL mad boy has been helped towards his ultimate goal after winning a coaching session in his back garden with a world record holding football tricks expert.

Max Lawson, ten, overcame competition from hundreds of aspiring footballers to win a one-on-one masterclass with Dan Magness, who set a world record in 2010 by keeping a football airborne for 26 hours, juggling the ball more than 350,000 times using only his feet, knees and head.

Max, of Carlton Miniott, Thirsk, who is a midfielder for York City, Middlesborough development centre and Thirsk Falcons under-10s, impressed judges with a video of his footballing skills.

He also won four FA Cup Final tickets, and American-style fridge freezer and a washing machine in a nationwide contest run by electrical firm Beko.

He said his friends were particularly envious after learning Mr Magness, who broke two world records in May by skipping 120 times in a minute while heading the ball and by touching the ball with his shoulders 169 times in a minute, had visited his home for the two-hour session.

Max's mother, Michelle, said Mr Magness had explained how to perform a range of tricks and routines.

She added: "Max would love to be a professional footballer and had watched Dan on television, so he was thrilled to win the competition.

"After Dan had to postpone the session in Sheffield due to the Tour de France, he offered to come to Max, which was fabulous."