KID keeper James Powley is renowned for his eye-catching displays.The nine-year-old consistently makes light of having to wear glasses all the time.He plays for Ipswich Mavericks in the Ipswich Town Community Youth Football League.

By Mel Henderson

KID keeper James Powley is renowned for his eye-catching displays.

The nine-year-old consistently makes light of having to wear glasses all the time.

He plays for Ipswich Mavericks in the Ipswich Town Community Youth Football League.

In the season just ended he conceded fewer goals than any other keeper in the under-9 section.

The Springfield Junior School pupil could be in even more dazzling form next season after taking delivery of the very latest hi-tech glasses.

His father, Nigel, said: "It is obviously a worry that James has to play in goal with his glasses on, especially with other players getting bigger and the shots becoming harder.

"Also, James thinks nothing of diving at opponents' feet – he has the scars on his head to prove it!

"Contact lenses were out, because they don't do them for children, so we decided the time was right to look around for more specialised equipment.

"But we drew a blank in this country when we looked on the internet. Our search for children's prescription sports glasses eventually took us further afield.

"We found a company in the USA that could help and pretty soon we were exchanging e-mails on the way to placing an order."

James is a big fan of Juventus and Holland midfielder Edgar Davids, who suffers from glaucoma and whose special specs willgrace this year's Champions League Final.

Nigel added: "Davids is James' favourite player for obvious reasons and he treasures a signed picture of him.

"He is an inspiration to James, who now wants to become the first professional goalkeeper to wear glasses."

James and his father talked at some length before deciding to invest around £100 on the very latest equipment.

Nigel said: "We realised James might get a bit of stick for wearing glasses. Kids can be quite cruel at this age.

"So we thought 'Why don't we make something of a statement here?' Now James is proud to wear them and is flying around more safely than before.

"Other teams have turned up to play the Mavericks and you can see them thinking 'We'll be okay today – their keeper's wearing glasses!'

"But James' record speaks for itself, although he is naturally aware his defensive colleagues have also played their part.

"We have never seen any other child or even sports person in this country with these glasses and we would also like other children with poor eyesight to be aware that it need not be a hindrance to them."

James has a younger brother, six-year-old Ben, who is also a budding keeper with an eyesight problem.

Nigel added: "Ben's eyesight is even worse, but he is showing a lot of promise and we will probably be looking to buy him a pair of the same glasses.

"They are so effective that I think James can now see even better than boys with good eyesight."