TWO short months ago, plasterer Ben Leonard was lining-up for Pack Horse Celtic in the final of the Meadowhall Sunday League Cup.

This week, the 23-year-old midfielder is on the verge of completing a dream move to Bury, after being offered his first professional football contract.

Leonard was one of several trialists on show during the 1-0 victory over Radcliffe Borough in midweek, where he impressed sufficiently to earn a 12-month deal at Gigg Lane.

The young midfielder was also playing Saturday football for Dinnington Town in the Northern Counties League - a club which also reared former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United star Scott Sellars.

He was spotted by chief scout Gary Simpson playing parks football and director of football Keith Alexander, who has never been afraid to dip his toe into the non-league waters in the past, hopes Leonard will continue his progress at Bury.

"We have made Ben an offer, and hopefully he will accept it," Alexander said.

"Myself and Gary Simpson have always been very keen to look at players who are playing lower down the league and desperate to do well.

"Gary spotted him playing in Sunday League football, we brought him in, and he has done very well for himself.

"We have never gone down the traditional routes. There are a lot of very capable players playing at that level who are desperate for a chance.

"Ben falls into that category, and I can see him playing in the first team a lot earlier than people think. He's definitely one for the future."

Standing at 6ft 4ins, Leonard certainly looked the part in his 90-minute trial at Stainton Park.

And he wasn't the only one - two other players, wingback Ahmed Deen and goalkeeper Jim Provett, have also been offered contracts on the back of that friendly.

First team boss Chris Casper has also been impressed with Leonard during his week at the club - and said the player can cope with his Roy of the Rovers entrance into league football.

"It's what Bury Football Club is all about," said Casper. "Ben is very effective and he deserves his shot.

"He hasn't been in a professional environment before, but he is a grafter.

"He is a plasterer by trade, so he knows what a hard days work is all about.

"He is a very physical and competitive midfielder, which is hard to find these days."