A FIVE-YEAR-OLD football fanatic has made close to £1,800 for the NHS after copying skills set by his favourite team online.

Liam Southwood, who lives in Rayleigh, regularly watches West Ham United with his brother Joe and his father Richard.

But since the start of lockdown, Liam has been loving completing challenges set by Hammers striker Michail Antonio on social media.

And last week he stepped things up by completing 101 dribbles, goals and celebrations inspired by Antonio, who is Liam’s favourite player.

“I have been doing daily #HammersAtHome challenges and now want to do one of my own to make money for the NHS,” Liam told West Ham’s official website.

“I will be completing 101 dribbles, goals and celebrations inspired by my favourite player, Michail Antonio!”

Antonio has commented on the skills Liam has shown in clips posted on social media and has also promised the youngster a signed a Hammers shirt.

And Liam has received plenty of other support.

“We have had really positive messages around the challenges that West Ham are doing and how inspiring they are, and they’ve certainly inspired Liam,” said his father Richard.

“Liam had kicked off his fundraiser and already made over £1,800 for charity, with donations from fans of lots of different clubs and a very generous one from under 23s striker Dapo Afolayan.

“He is raising money for NHS Charities Together, which is supporting staff and volunteers caring for patients who have tested positive for coronavirus.

“And he’s really enjoying every second of what he’s doing.”

Liam, whose grandfather is former Echo sports editor Howard Southwood, can be sponsored here.