A FOOTBALLER who got too big for his boots has issued a desperate plea — he needs bigger footwear.

Sixteen-year-old Graham Jebb, who plays for the Leigh Genesis youth team, has astounding size 15 feet.

But the 6ft 2in striker cannot find any boots that fit him. He is currently squeezing his prodigious “plates of meat” into a pair of cozy size 13s.

His team mates think it is hilarious, but it is no laughing matter for Graham because it is costing him goals and ruining his dreams of becoming a world class footballer.

He said: “It affects my accuracy and it takes a few yards off my pace as well.

“It’s crucial because I’m a striker. I do everything right — I train hard, keep fit and eat healthily.

“I’m very professional about my career and I want to play at the highest level.”

Graham, who lives in Bury, has always had big feet but until now it has never been a problem because he could always find big enough boots. Even when he was still at junior school, he wore size 11 shoes.

He has even used size 15 rugby boots but the trial proved unsuccessful.

He added: “I want to play in the Premiership, maybe even for England. I’m very ambitious but my feet are holding me back at the moment.”

Stan Walker, the youth team manager, said Graham has what it takes to make the grade as a professional.

He said: “He’s a very committed footballer — and a good one at that. He has a very professional attitude, looks after himself and always comes to training.He’s a good, quick striker and has a lot of potential.”

The striker’s father, also called Graham, aged 49, said: “It’s only recently that Graham’s feet have caused us any problems. But it has always been a source of some amusement that when Graham was younger, he wore size sevens and eight shoes while the other kids at school played in size twos and threes.

“We’re desperate for someone to come forward and help us out. It would be great if we could find a sponsor.”

steven.thompson@thebolton news.co.uk