Millions of youngsters around the world dream of it but only a small portion ever get to actually sample it - the chance to become a professional footballer.

Yate teenager Cole Skuse is in the elite, a highly rated academy graduate at Bristol City who has attracted interest from several Premiership clubs.

Gazette Bristol City columnist WILL COLLINS caught up with Skuse recently and got a flavour of what it's like to be an up and coming football star.

COLE SKUSE celebrated his 19th birthday last month, and the Bristol City player has hardly been short on reasons to celebrate lately having made a couple of promising appearances for the Ashton Gate club.

He has also been subject to transfer interest from a couple of Premiership clubs for good measure.

His recent signing of a two-year professional contract at City would appear to be the icing on the cake in a young career that has never lost its momentum, but how has this teenager managed to fulfil the dreams of so many of his peers?

Skuse has lived with his family in Abbotswood, Yate, for his entire life and has supported Bristol City since childhood. He attended King Edmund Community School where he played for the school side, while also being involved in the team at Yate United from U9 level through to the U11s.

But it wasn't until Skuse moved to play for Almondsbury U12s that he was spotted by a scout from Bristol City and asked to go for a trial.

He recalls that the offer of playing at the best available facilities in the area was one that he could not turn down, as he explained: "City have the highest quality coaching in the area, and I was very happy at being given the opportunity to play at the club's academy."

It was at the City academy that Skuse's natural potential and ability as a footballer were nurtured by coaches Pete Coleman and the highly experienced City coach Tony Fawthrop.

"Pete Coleman has been a great help to me," asserted Skuse, "and Tony Fawthrop was a big influence in my development as a player."

All the hard work that Skuse and his coaches have put into his development over the many years he has been at the club finally paid off on Saturday, February 19, earlier this year when he finally made his debut for the first team at Colchester United.

The youngster recalls: "The manager had told me that I'd be involved at some point this season, but I was surprised to be named on the bench on the morning of the game. As a second half substitute, I entered the field of play with City 2-0 up and this helped me be free of any nerves on the day and I was instead filled with excitement and eagerness to impress."

Skuse has cited City's inspirational Northern Ireland midfielder and former captain Tommy Doherty as a player who has helped motivate and support him during his breakthrough and subsequent involvement in the first team.

He also remains indebted to manager Brian Tinnion for giving him the opportunity to play for City, with the Ashton Gate legend having played a major role in his development having helped out with City's U13 squad when Skuse first joined the club. A natural ball winner and craftsman, he is equally comfortable in defence or midfield, citing his preferred position as the holding role in the middle. His versatile nature and confidence on the ball have only helped his stock rise.

Looking into the immediate future, the young City starlet, who has been looking to sign a new contract with City for some time, was overjoyed earlier this month when he signed a two-year professional contract with the club that he has supported since he was a schoolboy.

The contract was signed despite City receiving interest from Premiership clubs Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers recently, and the fact that teams from the top flight of the English game are aware of his talents only emphasises the point that Skuse has made it as a pro.

For all that, though, the youngster's head remains firmly placed on his shoulders, and carving out a career at Bristol City looks like a shrewd decision.

That doesn't mean that Skuse lacks the hunger or desire to go far in football. As he explained: "I want to be more involved in the games. City have some key upcoming games between now and the end of the season.

"Looking to the future, I want to play at the highest possible level I can with the team I have supported since I was a boy - Bristol City."

When asked how he would feel if England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was to one day give him a ring, Skuse replied: "Yeah, an international call-up would be nice."

It certainly would, and who would bet against this rising star one day emulating idols that he currently admires from a distance, such as Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick? His climb up the Ashton Gate ladder has certainly been made with a big impact, and one cannot help but feel that there is a lot more to come from the youngster.

Wherever Skuse ends up, one thing is for sure. He will always look upon his parents, Shaun and Laverne, as being supportive throughout his career and will also appreciate the continuing support of his girlfriend, Louisa.

As he concludes: "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be where I am today."