PROMISING striker Mark Goodman has landed a three-year contract at First Division Coventry City.

The 16-year-old from Lower Wick was spotted while playing for Worcester City Reserves and after a successful trial in which he scored eight goals in nine games has been awarded a football scholarship with the Sky Blues.

Mark, whose brother Lee is also a talented player with Worcester, begins his career at Highfield Road in July where among his duties will be watching Coventry at every home match.

Dad Phil said the whole family was happy for the Christopher Whitehead High School student and also paid special thanks to Worcester's reserve team manager Geoff Ashby and scout John Williams.

"We are all really pleased for him and he's over the moon about it but we would really like to thank Geoff and John," said Phil.

He said the decision to sign for Coventry rather than more glamorous rivals, such as Midlands' giants Wolves and Aston Villa who had also expressed an interest, had been easy to make with Phil believing his son has a better chance of succeeding with the lower profile Sky Blues.

"Coventry, especially with their current financial situation, are less likely to go out and splash £7m on a striker and with their emphasis on youth it is the best move for him," he added.

After two years, City will have an option to either offer him a professional contract or he will carry on as an apprentice.