Budding young footballers received a surprise visit from a Peterborough United star today.

Cambs Times: Posh player Nathaniel Knight-Percival. Signing autographs. Ozzy Lovick-lane has his boots signed.Posh player Nathaniel Knight-Percival. Signing autographs. Ozzy Lovick-lane has his boots signed. (Image: Archant)

Defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival, 26, signed boots, shirts and programmes during his visit to Neale-Wade Academy, March, where more than 180 boys and girls have been taking part in a three-day football course.

Cambs Times: Neale Wade Soccer school March.Neale Wade Soccer school March. (Image: Archant)

The sessions, for four to 12 year olds, were run by FA and UEFA qualified coaches from Peterborough United.

Knight-Percival has made 37 appearances since he joined from Wrexham in the summer of 2011.

He said: “It is good to see all the kids at half term having a blast playing football. It’s what I would love to be doing if I was that age.”

Peterborough United are riding high in third in League One. They host leaders Leyton Orient at London Road today.

Percival said: “We are doing well this season, both in the league and the Johnstone’s Paint trophy, so it is a matter of keeping focused and picking up the wins.

“Leyton Orient is a big game but we will go out there and treat it like any other match.”

Peterborough United’s under-11 manager Sam Darlow, who alongside three other coaches ran the sessions, said they had a dual purpose.

He said: “The main thing about the sessions is enjoyment but ideally we are looking for players.

“We tend to pick one player from each group and invite them to our development centres where they will get extra coaching.

“If they show potential they will be offered a place in the academy.”