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

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

Leonard was one of several trialists on show during the 1-0 victory over Radcliffe Borough last week, where he impressed sufficiently to earn a 12-month deal at Gigg Lane and a chance to become a professional footballer.

The young midfielder had also played for Hallam FC, the world's second oldest club, and Dinnington Town in the Northern Counties League - an organisation 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.

"Ben has taken a gamble on leaving a steady job to chase a career as a professional footballer," Alexander said. "He is hungry for his chance and deserves a lot of respect for that.

"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."

Standing at 6ft 4ins, Leonard certainly looked the part in his first 90-minute trial at Stainton Park. He followed that up with another solid performance at Hyde United on Monday and, despite his lack of experience at professional level, Alexander has tipped him to make a quick adjustment.

"He puts himself about, gets his head on the ball in both boxes and I think he is definitely one for the future," the former Lincoln manager said.

"If he can get himself into the first team and score goals from the middle of the park, then people might well start looking at him."

First team boss Chris Casper has also been impressed with Leonard during his first full 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 day's work is all about. He is a very physical and competitive midfielder, which is hard to find these days."