LEEDS United may have had a terrible season but Dunnington defender Andrew Milne is still dreaming of becoming a big hitter for the Elland Road club.

Milne, who smashed 177 for Dunnington Seconds in a York Senior Cricket League match earlier this month, is hoping to have a long innings with boyhood heroes Leeds after signing a three-year deal with the team he has supported all his life.

The 16-year-old Fulford High School pupil is one of seven youngsters who have been handed two-year apprenticeships by the troubled West Yorkshire club, who dropped into the third tier of English football for the first time in their history a fortnight ago.

But Milne believes Leeds' League One stay will be short-lived and, with first-year professional terms already promised on his graduation as a scholar, he is harbouring ambitions of emulating his idol Lucas Radebe and, one day, becoming a long-term, central defensive successor to the South African legend.

With a Scottish grandfather, international scouts from north of the border as well as in this country are already monitoring Milne's progress having originally been spotted at the age of nine by Don Revie's former chief scout Cyril Partridge playing in a junior tournament for Dunnington in York.

Since then, he has represented Leeds from Under-10 to U16 level and, last season, enjoyed several outings for the club's U18 junior side, who were only pipped to the league title on goal difference by Sunderland.

He has also toured Belgium and Italy with Leeds facing the likes of Roma and his talent has already been recognised by agent David Geiss who looks after the business affairs of England internationals Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and former Leeds star Lee Bowyer.

Milne has already brushed shoulders with managerial pair Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet in training as well and added: "We sometimes have sessions playing against the coaching staff and the manager still puts it about a bit."

As well as his achievements with Leeds, Milne helped Fulford U16s lift the York Schools' Cup last season playing in the centre of midfield.

He has also played cricket for Dunnington since the age of 13 where he has profited from the coaching of former West Indies international Collis King.

His 177 came off 138 balls and represented his first century and the third-highest ever innings in division four.

Milne has turned out for the Lord's Taverners side as well but has no doubt as to where his sporting priorities lie, saying: "I like playing cricket for fun with my friends but I take football very seriously.

"My dad's from Leeds so I'm a Leeds supporter. I've always wanted to play for them and I'm sure we will be back up there soon because of the club's size and fan base."