Dreams can come true and this could not be more accurate for a Chingford footballer who signed a two year professional contract at Blackpool Football Club last month.

Denzel Williams could not believe his luck when after years of hard work eventually paid off.

The central defender moved to play for the Seasiders at the age of 14 to pursue his career in the sport.

When asked what it meant to him to sign his first pro contract he said: “This has always been a boyhood dream for me.

“It is good because you think about this opportunity all the time and when it is given to you, you take it straight away.”

Williams deal runs until the end of the 2018 season and includes an option to extend by a further 12 months after he impressed in the Under-18s side.

Not only has he progressed through the ranks, he has been given the opportunity to see what it is like to be a player in the play-offs.

Blackpool are currently 3-2 up against Luton Town and will take on the Hatters at Kenwilworth Road this evening (7.45pm kick-off).

He said: “Being in the play-offs has given me a good experience.

“As I am only 18 years old, you don’t normally get to go straight into the first team.

“At Blackpool, there is not an Under-23s team so it gives you an insight into what the players are doing and how they are feeling about getting to this stage.

“Some people may never get to see it at my age so it is a big thing for me.”

Williams attend Chingford Foundation School, the same school as Harry Kane, Dwight Gayle and David Beckham.

His agent, FA registered football intermediary Ricky Joshua, said: “It is a massive achievement for him. It is so hard to be offered a professional contract and it was one of the proudest moments of my life as all his hard work paid off.

“On behalf of myself and Denzel, we would like to thank Blackpool Football Club for all the work they have done to get him to where he is today.”

One thing Joshua wanted to mention was how much of a role model Williams can be for young people in the Waltham Forest Borough.

“Denzel, coming from Chingford, can be a inspiration for any person wanting to break their way into football.

“But not just for them, any young person from London can achieve what he has through grit and determination. He is a testament for many.

“I think it is good to encourage many more young people to follow there dreams and to ensure that they don’t give up.”