TAUNTON teenager Mark Clunie will take a big step towards a career as a professional footballer when he signs a two-year, youth training scheme contract with Bristol City.

The 16-year-old deputy head boy at St Augustine School has been with the Robins after being spotted at nine and is one of just seven youngsters at City to be offered a YTS deal.

Mark, a tough-tackling midfielder who can also play at full-back, is in City's academy and plays matches for the Under-16 side every Saturday against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa. He has also been named in the U-18 squad and was on the bench for their FA Youth Cup fifth round tie against Manchester City at Ashton Gate.

He now has two years to impress in the hope of being offered a professional deal.

And City's academy manager John Clayton believes the Taunton lad has every chance.

He said: "Mark is a very good player and has been with the club a long time and has done very well to be offered a YTS deal.

"Not many academy players go on and become a professional and play first team football and that is made clear to the academy players. But Mark is good enough to have earned this opportunity and if he keeps working hard on improving his game he has the chance to make it."

Mark first started playing for Bishop's Hull U-9s as a seven-year-old in the Tony Pryce League. He went on to play for Bishops Lydeard when coach Andy Howe invited him to the Bristol City Development Centre based at Heathfield School, which he ran.

Andy quickly spotted the nine-year-old's obvious talent and told the club they might want to take a closer look. They invited him for a trial which he attended with his late grandfather George and has been with the club ever since.