SPORT FOR ALL: THE captain of England has been sharing the secrets of his footballing success with star-struck Halton schoolchildren.

Ashley School youngsters have benefited from his advice and coaching on a weekly basis for a month and a half.

Before you start to wonder how David Beckham had sneaked into Widnes unnoticed, the player concerned skippers the country's amputee team.

But in the eyes of girls and boys from the Cawfield Avenue school, this champion of sport is every bit as special as the former Manchester United idol, now of course plying his trade for Real Madrid.

Steve Johnson is also part of Everton FC's community scheme and it was with them that he visited for the series of six coaching sessions.

He was accompanied by Mark Elliott, the Toffees' disabilities soccer development officer who is also the coach of England's team for the visually impaired.

Kevin Fairbanks, from Ashley School, said: 'It's been great for the kids to get in extra soccer with a World Cup legend, world player-of-the-year and England captain.

'It is all about healthy activity and giving those with special needs the chance to enjoy soccer regardless of their special need.'

Johnson is a magnificent ambassador for disabilities football. He has led the England amputee side from the front since 1987 and been captain for more than a decade.

The centre-forward has shown remarkable courage after surgeons were forced to amputate his left leg as a result of an accident in a sportshall five-a-side football match.

Determined to continue playing the game he loved, he has enjoyed a glittering career with his talents earning global respect. He has not only been world player-of-the-year but won medals in three world cups and worked tirelessly with disabled youngsters and adults in football.

His feats were in 2001 recognised with a special achievement award at the Liverpool Echo Sports Personality of the Year awards. In May last year, he was named Disabled Sportsman of the Year by the Variety Club, receiving his prize from the Duke of York at a glittering ceremony.

Ashley School are former national special school champions at football and have opened their doors in the past to Runcorn's Cavendish School for a joint football session.

The run of Wednesday morning sessions with Everton has now ended but the good news is the Blues will be back in the New Year when it is hoped another group of Ashley pupils can profit from their expertise and guidance.