A TALENTED schoolboy has been given the chance to combine his two greatest passions - thanks to Bury Football Club.

Shakers fan and keen writer Eric Wood was aged just 14 when he contacted club staff a year ago to ask if he could do two weeks' work experience in the media department at Gigg Lane.

The youngster, who is now aged 15 and lives in Heywood, impressed so much with his all-round effort during the placement, he was asked to help out on a regular basis.

Eric has now been part of the club's voluntary effort for more than a year - and he said he is loving every minute of it.

"I was absolutely gobsmacked when they agreed to take me on for two weeks and for it to have carried on this long is a dream come true," said Eric.

"I love to write and I've supported Bury since I was 10. My uncle Joe took me and my dad along to a match against Stoke when I was younger. We lost but I still loved and I've been going ever since."

Eric has had some of his writing published in local newspapers and even an American Football magazine. His efforts to gain experience have proved popular with staff at the football club.

Bury FC's press officer Gordon Sorfleet said: "We were all immensely impressed with his effort from the word go. He helped us out with content for our website and did far more than we could have expected. It's like having another member of staff.

"We take him all over the country to help at games. On matchdays, I do the internet radio commentary and Eric writes the match reports which go on the website right after the game. It's a vital job because a lot of supporters can't make it to away games so he brings them right up to date very quickly.

"I definitely think he has the potential to be a journalist and hopefully his new college course will help him progress with it further."

Eric, who turns 16 later this month is due to start a media studies course at Bury College in September.

He said: "The college have advised me to stay on at Bury FC to gain even more experience.

"It's fantastic for me to be able to interview my favourite players. The first one I did was with David Flitcroft and I was really nervous, but now I get to see them all the time and it's a lot easier.

"I am really grateful to everyone at the club for the help they have given me and I am looking forward on the club having a successful season."