FOOTBALL club manager Laurie Irvine was struck by the ball skills displayed by the young border collie.

The dog appeared from no where to join in the kick-about with Mr Irvine's players ahead of a league match.

Mr Irvine was also impressed when the dog, Summer, didn't attempt to run on to the pitch when the game got underway.

"She also seemed to bring us a slice of luck," said Mr Irvine, manager of Locomotive Maidstone FC. "We won the match and that was the first time in our history that we have secured a victory in the opening game of the season."

The club has now adopted six-month-old Summer as its official mascot.

"Hopefully, she will bring us more good fortune in the future," said Mr Irvine. "As well as being skilful, she's a really friendly animal and our players seem to take to her in a big way."

The club competes in the KM Maidstone & Mid Kent Sunday Football League and plays its home games at South Park off Maidstone's Armstrong Road. Although based in the county town, the club's squad is drawn from many parts of mid and north Kent.

Summer's owner, John White, of Loose Road, Maidstone, said: "Making her the club's mascot was a nice gesture.

"She's an affectionate dog but there's no guarantee she'll never stray on to the pitch. She stalks anybody and any thing all the time - particularly a football."