WATCHING his son play for Salisbury Thunder – dreaming of scoring the winning goal in a Premier League game – led to city writer Julian Noyce’s latest work.

Delivery driver Julian – who has sold more than 80,000 copies of his books – has just published his latest children’s story, Oliver’s Dream Ticket.

The story takes inspiration from watching his son play football for Salisbury Thunder under 9s.

“The book’s main character Oliver has big dreams of being a footballer and scoring a winning goal in the Premiership,” said Julian. “His dad emails the local football team and his journey begins.”

The book is written in two halves, like a football match, with the first half focusing on Oliver’s football training as he settles in with his new team, Salisbury Thunder.

In the second half, which Julian says was inspired by the film Rocky, the Football Association offers an end-of-season exhibition match for any team to play against ‘the greatest team in the country, if not the entire world, Tischester United’.

Out of more than 40,000 team names which go into a computer, Salisbury Thunder are picked to play Tischester at Wembley Stadium.

A final part of the book, Extra Time, includes profiles of the real-life Salisbury Thunder players, plus inspirational quotes from famous footballing legends.

Aimed at youngsters between six and nine, Oliver’s Dream Ticket features illustrations by artist Julie Budworth and Julian’s wife, Natalie.

“Oliver’s Dream Ticket is an inspirational story that teaches children about teamwork and what happens when you work hard and dream big,” Julian added.

“It’s the perfect stocking filler for your kids, grandchildren, nieces or nephews this Christmas.”

Oliver’s Dream Ticket costs £7.99 and is available to purchase in paperback from Amazon.