On the football pitch, Liam Thomas shows the ability and determination of any youngster who dreams of playing professionally when he is older.

But the nine-year-old has already overcome bigger obstacles in his life after being born with part of his right leg missing.

At the age of 12 months, Liam had his leg amputated below the knee and a prosthetic limb fitted. He has since undergone three painful operations on it, as well as a further four on his hand, for the condition syndactyl.

Despite that, the youngster, who attends Westend Middle School in Cleckheaton, has gone on to become one of the best players at Gomersal Boys Football Club, where he is a member of the under-11s team.

Proud mum Joanne said: "He was born with half his right leg missing and also with syndactyl in his right hand, which means the bones are fused together. He had a number of operations on his hand to try to get his fingers moving and has had to re-train himself to use his left hand."

Liam's latest prosthetic limb has the emblem of his favourite club Leeds United on it which makes him the envy of his friends.

"At school, the kids love it because it's Leeds United and they think it's cool," said Joanne, 32. "They tell him the only thing wrong with it is that it isn't Liverpool! Liam loves his sports and football is his passion. He has played for Gomersal Boys since he was four and he believes when he gets older he's going to play for Leeds United.

"It's going to be the one thing he isn't going to be able to do, but he is a great footballer. All his football mates and their parents look up to him and he's also been selected to play for his school team."

Gomersal Boys under-11s team manager Richard Stretton said: "Liam is 18 months younger than a lot of the other boys and he is an inspiration. He copes with his disability really well - to the extent that you forget he even has it. "His attitude is brilliant. He's really enthusiastic and the other boys look up to him. He was our age group's player of the year last season. He is a real pleasure to have on the team."

Liam frequently visits hospital for fittings for new limbs, which he needs about every three months.

"It's been a long ten years and as a family it's been hard on us all," said Joanne, of Marsland Court, Hunsworth.

"Liam doesn't find it hard to accept but sometimes he'll say 'why can't I be like everybody else?' but we try not to look at the negative side and keep him positive.

"I am so proud of him and the way he is with other children. Everyone who meets him says his determination and outlook on life in unbelievable."

Liam, who has a sister Hayley, 12, will have to undergo another painful operation in the next 12 months. This is to shorten the bone in his leg which is continuing to grow.

He last underwent this operation when he was five and was in a wheelchair for weeks until he could get back on his feet. He will probably need this operation again in five years' time.

"Once we were at the hospital and there was a little boy who had just lost his leg and was learning to walk with a false one," said Joanne.

"Liam went up and said 'this is how you do it' and was showing him how to walk on it.

"He told the little boy he could play football with it and that once he had got used to the leg, there was no reason why he couldn't be like everybody else. If he can help and support his friends - he's happy.