A teenage footballer from Wanstead has been handed a shot at professional football after signing scholarship forms with League Two side Yeovil Town.

Dion Macfoy-Johnston, a 17-year-old attacking midfielder, who spent last season with National League strugglers Dartford, has joined the Glovers ahead of the 2015/16 campaign.

The youngster previously played for local side Aldersbrook Athletic and it was there he worked under former Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper turned Tottenham Hotspur academy coach, Peter Hacker.

Macfoy-Johnston worked under Hacker between the ages of nine and 16 and the former Hoops keeper was delighted to see his former protege progress.

He said: “He came down to our soccer school when he was nine and to be honest, he was pretty terrible and struggled to kick with both feet. But he persevered. He had a great physique and picked things up really quick.

“He was one of the loyal ones because most kids, if Real Madrid aren’t knocking at their door by 11, their parents move them on.”

He continued: “He signed for Dartford last year but the travelling was hard for him.

“He’s got all the attributes but it is up to him to kick on now. You have to have that little bit of luck to make it and hopefully this is his.

“By the time he was 12 he was one of the most talented players in the side. It has surprised me no-one has picked him up sooner.”

Hucker, who manages Aldersbrook and runs his own Soccer School at Wanstead Flats for players of all levels of ability, added: “I love it when boys move up a level, it is what we do.”