At his worst he was running away from home and being aggressive to his mum and teachers.

But now the future looks bright for Lewis Spears – who is back on the right track thanks to a football club and a policeman.

On Saturday, the 11-year-old, of Jefferson Road, Sheerness, was presented with a shirt from New Road Football Club signed by all his friends and team-mates before he and his family move to Crawley.

It is thanks to the club and PC Gavin Scales, of the Island Neighbourhood Team, that Richmond Primary pupil Lewis has turned his life around.

The family became involved with PC Scales after the youngster started being unruly at school and behaving badly at home.

His mum Kandy Long said she had to have the police out regularly because he would go missing straight from school.

She added: “It was hard for me.

“Lewis has always had behaviour problems and he was getting worse as he was getting older.

“He was getting into a lot of trouble and running away from home. He was hitting and kicking me and getting aggressive and then it started with the teachers and the police got involved.”

PC Scales knew Lewis was a keen footballer and told him if he could keep his head down, he would let him watch a charity match at the club before introducing him to the coach.

The team took him on and he started playing as centre midfielder for the under-11s last year and since then his behaviour has improved dramatically.

Kandy, 34, said: “Lewis has calmed down lots because he’s got to concentrate and it’s built his confidence up. We have got a better relationship now as well.

“He’s been brilliant and is like a different child.

“I would like to say a big thank you to PC Scales and coach Dave Cooper – if it wasn’t for them I don’t know what would have happened.

“I would hope to help other people as well – there’s lots of kids out there in the same situation that could benefit if people gave them the chance.”

PC Scales has now arranged for Lewis to join the Oakwood Football Club in Crawley.