Grandson signs club's new player

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Max got £100 for recommending the Liechtenstein international

Darlington Football Club has just signed a new star player - thanks to the chairman's 12-year-old grandson.

Max Houghton was seven when he spotted Liechtenstein winger Franz Burgmeier in a game against England in 2003.

So when the League Two side was on the lookout for a new signing, chairman George Houghton's grandson turned scout and recommended the ex-FC Basle player.

Burgmeier's signing on fee remains a secret, but the youngster revealed he got £100 for his efforts.

Max, a pupil at Newcastle's Royal Grammar School, said he researched his hot tip thoroughly on the internet.

He said: "He looked like he would work his socks off and had a lot of stamina."

Bergmeier, the first Liechtensteinian to play in England, said: "It's a funny story to be recommended by a school boy. But that's football."

Mr Houghton said: "Max show fantastic diligence when it comes to his sport.

"We needed a winger and Max got us the right man."