A YOUNGSTER could realise his dreams of playing at Old Trafford if he wins a table football tournament this weekend.

Dario Simone, 12, has made it the final of a tournament to be held at the Commonwealth Stadium in Manchester and will go on to the Grand Final at Manchester United's stadium if he wins.

The shot-happy youngster, from Beachwood Avenue in Gillingham, has reached the last eight by winning qualifying tournaments at Asda in West Malling and in London. He won a Pepsi Cola football table after the first qualifying tournament and has been practising on that ever since.

The youngster has qualified each time by scoring ten goals in the quickest time, leaving the opposition in the shade. He said: "It's all in the wrist. You can't spin the players so you have to get the technique just right. I'm quite an attacking player so I can score enough goals not to worry about defence.

"I'm quite confident about doing well on Saturday. It would be great to play in the grand final at Old Trafford in August."

Dario has been a table football natural ever since his parents bought him a table. He won a competition at school and represented Gillingham in 2000.

His brother, nine-year-old Domenico, is also a sharpshooter on the table, finishing runner-up to Dario in the Asda tournament and winning an England shirt.