Nine-year-old Coen Townsend hopes he can take England to victory in the next World Cup.

The Heckmondwike youngster will travel to Rain, Germany, in September to take part in the world championships of table football game Subbuteo.

His dad, Philip, said he had proved to be an exceptional player since he was introduced to the game last Christmas.

Father and son both play for Kent Invicta, a team set up by Coen’s uncle, Miguel, in Gillingham in Kent.

Mr Townsend said: “Back in December last year my brother got back into playing Subbuteo. It’s something we played when we were children and we were quite good at it. He asked me to get all our old boxes out of the attic.

“My son saw this and had a delve in the boxes, we got out all the paraphernalia and started playing. A few months down the line Coen won the under-12s national championships and he has only just turned nine.

“A few weeks after that he got his call up for the England squad.”

As well as winning the under-12 category at the English Subbuteo Table Football Association’s national championships, Coen came third in the under-19 category at the Edinburgh Grand Prix in March and was named runner up at an under-15s competition in Essex in April.

Known in Subbuteo circles by the nicknames FC Hammer, and Birdy, Coen is hoping to do the country proud in the upcoming competition.

Mr Townsend said: “I play myself as well, and I coach him the best I can.

“He has really taken to it like a duck to water and it is all he wants to do at the moment.

“He was absolutely delighted when he got the call. We were all thrilled. We thought there was an outside chance but we weren’t expecting it.”

Anyone who wants more information on Coen and his Subbuteo team, or wants to learn to play the game, can visit kentinvicta tfc.co.uk or phone Mr Townsend on (01924) 507655.