'Little Maradona', 6, scouted by top clubs for scoring 150 goals in year

A SIX-year-old is following in his professional footballer great-grandfather’s footsteps after being scouted by top clubs and scoring a staggering 150 goals since the start of the year. 

Six-year-old Theo Longstaff is practising each week at Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Leeds football clubs after being selected for their academies. His great-grandfather, Joe Liddle, who lives at Lyons Court care home in Evenwood, used to play professionally for Darlington. There is 90 years difference between the two.

Theo started playing football at the age of three.

His father, Craig, said: “He has been brilliant since he was three. He started playing with his brother and we could see he had talent. They used to call him Little Maradona.”

He now plays for Darlington Football Club and has scored more than 150 goals since the beginning of the year. Mr Longstaff said: “In one match he put 13 past them.”

Now the football-obsessed Cockfield Primary pupil attends sessions at Middlesbrough on a Monday, Leeds on Wednesday and Sunderland on Friday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays he trains with his team mates at Darlington Football Club and plays league matches on Sundays.

His 96-year-old great-grandfather also played for Darlington FC. He said: “I was about 18.”

He played in the FA Cup, helping the team reach the third round and his talent was soon spotted by top flight clubs. Mr Longstaff said: “My grandad could have played for West Ham, Watford, Liverpool or Manchester United, but he didn’t want to leave his mam.”

Mr Liddle added: “Bill Shankly came and knocked on our front door in Gainford.”

He said he was intensely proud of his great-grandson who might have an opportunity to play for Middlesborough, Sunderland or Leeds when he turns nine. The Manchester United fan said given a choice he would play for Leeds.