TWO teenagers who have worked hard to turn their lives around were given the chance to meet Whites star Liam Feeney.

Bolton fans Tom Coen, aged 16 and Harry Ollerton, aged 14, were chosen by Bolton at Home to be presented with tickets to the Wanderers’ home game against Blackpool by Liam Feeney.

The housing provider wanted to reward the youngsters who, after struggling with mainstream education, have performed exceptionally well at Bolton’s Pupil Referral Unit in Smithills and are focused on their futures.

The club has donated 1,000 tickets for the match to Bolton at Home customers who are active in their communities.

The club and the Community Trust have made the game their annual community match fixture, recognising their partnership with Bolton at Home, and players will wear a special Bolton at Home shirt.

Football fan Tom said: “I’m really focused on doing well in my maths and English GCSEs, which would set me up well.”

Youngster Harry added: “Coming to the PRU has made me improve both as a pupil and a person.”

The Unit takes in young people who have not had positive experiences in mainstream education and aims to find alternative methods to motivate and inspire them.

Head of service Paul Hodgkinson said: “Tom and Harry are doing fantastically well and are on track to do brilliant in their exams.

“A lot of the boys that come to us are football fans so it is great to be able to use things like this as a reward scheme to inspire them to work hard.

“For us, partnerships like the ones with Bolton Wanderers and Bolton at Home are crucial.”

After the meet-up, Whites star Liam said: “It’s fantastic to meet people who dedicate themselves to helping youngsters and hear how the young people respond to that help.

“My eyes have been opened to the great work that goes on in our local communities.”

The community match is the latest initiative from Bolton at Home’s partnership with Bolton Wanderers Community Trust, which has encouraged hundreds of young people to get involved in sport, education and volunteering opportunities.