Last updated 13:37, Tuesday, 01 July 2008

WHEN Stuart Hill was playing in the same school team as former England youth starlet Paul Huntington, he thought he was also on the road to the big time.

The pair were part of the team from Carlisle’s Trinity School which won 2005 English Schools FA Under-18 National Cup.

Huntington went on to play in the Premiership for Newcastle United before joining Leeds, while Hill became a regular with Queen of the South.

But after just 10 first-team appearances, Hill, right, was flung on the scrapheap with a sickening thud and the young central defender drifted into the non-league ranks with Annan Athletic.

The 22-year-old works as a bar manager and in Carlisle, but still dreams of a second chance in full-time football.Hill, who captained Annan last sason, is keeping his fingers crossed their attempt to win a place in the Scottish Football League is successful as he would love to return to senior football.

He said: “I loved the experience of playing in the Scottish League. I had 10 starts for Queens under the manager who signed me, Iain Scott, and I hoped it was the start of a full-time football career.

“When Ian McCall came in as manager, he offered me a contract but said he couldn’t guarantee me a first-team place.

“The chance to play in the Scottish League with Annan would be great – and you never know I could then progress to a bigger club again.

“There’s also the chance of drawing a big club in the Scottish Cup. All the players are very excited.”