HE’S the local boy done good and former Marlborough pupil Jon Guthrie has even more reason to celebrate after signing a new one-year deal at football club Crewe Alexandra this week.

The fresh terms in the 23-year-old’s contract could also see his career secured until 2017 if the League One club, who originally signed him in 2012, decide next summer to activate the extra one year option.

“I’m really pleased to be staying at Crewe for another year,” he said. “It's a great club to be at and I’m enjoying my time here, so I am delighted.”

The past few years have been a whirlwind of excitement for the former St John's School pupil from Milton Lilbourne who stacked shelves at Waitrose in between his studies.

He admits he never thought his childhood ambition would become a reality.

“It's most boys' dream to be a professional footballer and for it to happen in the way it did for me is amazing,” he said.

“It was a surreal feeling at first but it's sort of feels more normal now. I still never expected it to happen but I'm obviously loving every minute of it.”

Crewe manager Steve Davis has also praised the progress the talented former Pewsey Vale player is making, saying he is looking faster and stronger than ever.

The defender has spent the last couple of months, while the football season was over, returning to Marlborough to his see his girlfriend and family and is now focusing on getting back on the pitch performing to his best ability.

He said: “You know if you want to stay in the team you have to be performing well, so there's always pressure on you.

“I’m looking forward to the season getting started and to be involved in match days again.”

Even seeing his name in the media, having to do interviews and being on videogames is something Guthrie, who was a pupil at Oare Primary School, is still getting used to.

“I still find that side of it strange,” he added. “Most young boys play FIFA as a kid so to then see yourself on the game when you’re older is a really weird feeling.”

Playing football is something his family are also passionate about and his older brother James, 24, has been playing for Chippenham Town as midfielder for the past four years. His other brother Rob, 26, also played for Pewsey Vale Football Club.

Proud parents Mary and Neil, as well as his sister Louise, 29, regularly go to Crewe to cheer him on too.

As for the future, Guthrie says he is taking each day as it comes: “I don't look into the future too much to be honest. I'm just taking it step by step and I'll see where that takes me. I obviously want to play at the highest level I can, so I'll just keep working hard and see what happens.”