A SHOPPING trip has led to a former top striker from Ryedale winning the chance of glory at Elland Road.

Tim Adams, who is a resident in in Stillington but used to live in Coneysthorpe, will take to the pitch when Leeds United entertain Portsmouth on Sunday, April 25.

He has won a place in the final of a competition for keeping a football off the ground and will be up against nine other contestants from all over Yorkshire, bidding to pocket the prize of two Leeds United tickets for next season.

On a recent visit to the Asda store at Monks Cross, York, he saw that whisky makers Whyte & Mackay, one of Leeds United's sponsors, were running a competition for keeping the ball on the air.

"I saw a guy wearing a referee's outfit at the entrance as I walked in, and I can't resist it when there's a football about," said Adams, who is a care officer at Yearsley Grove School, York.

"I think I was the first to have a go and I did 124 in the time limit of a minute. As I was leaving the store, I checked to see if anyone had done more, but I was still top, the next best being 119. Then last weekend, I got a letter to say I'd won a place in a final at Elland Road."

"It's always something I've been good at. I used to play keeping the ball up all the time and get into the thousands."

Adams, 39, was top scorer for Beckett League club Slingsby in his younger days. He then starred for Amotherby and Swinton before being snapped up by Rowntree for their Yorkshire League side. Injury curtailed his football career. As a lad he used to go to watch Leeds United.

Updated: 12:10 Wednesday, April 14, 2004