A competitive youngster has proved that girls can be as good as boys at football after recently becoming the first girl in history to win a contract with Darlington Football Club's Boy's Academy.

Ashleigh Leighton has been labelled "one in a million" by her coach after the talented nine-year-old signed the contact which ties her to the club for the next year - fending off the attentions of any other interested parties.

Ashleigh, of Geneva Terrace, Darlington, who is the only female member of the Spraire Lads football team at Feethams, was informed that she had won the contract after completing a six week training course.

For Ashleigh, football began from the moment she could kick a ball. Yet it was only three years ago, when she began playing for Simply Lasses, based in Darlington, that she realised how much she loved the sport.

"I love football and when I grow up I want to play as a professional," said Ashleigh.

Last year while playing for Simply Lasses, fate took over when the Football Association changed the ruling, which meant Ashleigh suddenly became nine weeks too young to play in the youngest team.

It was then that she was invited to play for Spraire Lads Under-9s at Feethams, by manager and coach Chris Sowerby.

Last week Ashleigh played for the Darlington School of Excellence, was the game's outstanding performer, so was awarded man of the match.

"Ashleigh is one in a million. She deserved to win the award last week," said coach Chris Sowerby.

Ashleigh, who has won man of the match several times, spends up to six days a week playing football as well as a team game every Sunday.

"Ashleigh's contract is only for one year, after that she will be too old to play with the lads.

"Middlesbrough ladies professional club have already taken an interest in her talents and she is hoping to sign up with them when she is older," said proud mum Allison.

Unfortunately Ashleigh will not be able to sign up with them until she is 14, but one thing is for sure - she will not be taking her eye off the ball.

The club hope to one day have a girls only academy and that is why, Sowerby explained, that Ashleigh was invite to train with Darlington despite not having a an all-girls set-up like clubs such as Sunderland.