GRAPPENHALL goal poacher Chris Thompson has been given a great opportunity after banging in two goals in two games for Grimsby Towns reserve team.

The Division One club were so impressed by his goal scoring exploits while on trial that they immediately snapped up his services with a two-year contract.

Chris, aged 19, has decided to ply his trade at Grimsby after hitting a brick wall at former club Liverpool.

With the mighty Merseysiders boasting some of the finest striking talent in the country, the chances of progressing into the first team were looking remote.

After six years at the club, the former Bridgewater High School pupil has decided that it is in his best interests to move from under the shadows of England internationals Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Emile Heskey.

His father Mike said: Chris has a lot of potential. He was the leading goal scorer for Liverpool Under 19s and I am sure that he will make a name for himself at Grimsby. The club have a lot of faith in him too as they have given him a two-year contract whereas they only gave the two England Under 18 players at the club a one-year contract. That says a lot.