CASH-strapped Swindon Town may not have to fork out millions for a footballer to help them climb out of the second division.

Footy-mad actor Ralf Little, better known as gormless teenager Anthony in television's The Royle Family, has revealed his secret ambition to pull on the red shirt and play first team football at the County Ground.

Manchester United fan Ralf, 22, is set to have a trial with Town thanks to friend and player-coach Neil Ruddock.

As Town boss Andy King spends the summer on the lookout for fresh talent on a shoestring budget lanky striker Little may prove to be the signing of the season.

He speaks of his unusual ambition in an edition of the women's magazine Now.

The star of the sitcom Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps revealed he would gladly give up his acting career to fulfil a lifelong ambition of becoming a professional footballer with Swindon.

The chance to impress King happened after girlfriend and ex-Big Breakfast presenter, Lisa Rogers, had a word with Ruddock who fixed the trial.

"It's not so much a trial, but I've got the chance to train for five days with Swindon and play for the reserves, he said.

"I don't think for one minute they'd sign me up, but if they did, I'd give up acting in a second I just want to say I gave it a go.

"I love what I do, but I just can't see that there's a better job in the world than a professional footballer. I've just got to find five clear days in my schedule and give Swindon a ring."

The busy actor has just appeared in his first movie, 24-Hour Party People, a film charting Manchester's party scene in the early 90's in which he plays Caroline Aherne's ex-husband, Joy Division and New Order guitarist, Peter Hook.

But filming looks like hampering the star's pre-season training schedule.

He is currently filming a new six-part drama, Paradise Heights, with Neil Morrissey and Charles Dale, which will be shown later this year.

Swindon Town director, Bob Holt, said he was bemused by the suggestion that Little could be coming to Swindon.

He said: "I am completely unaware of the situation.

"To my knowledge Ralf Little has not got a trial here, but Andy King is the man who deals with transfers and trialists."