IT'S a scene from any home in the country - two teenage lads mock-fighting on the settee in front of the TV in a comfortable lounge.

But, the youngsters happily relaxing in Kath Gorner's Westhoughton home are not her sons, nor are they related to each other.

They are two talented young footballers hoping for a career with Bolton Wanderers. And they live with Kath, who is a kind of "second mum."

Kath is one of a small, specially selected group of local people who care for young sportsmen whose talents take them away from their families.

Interestingly, for Kath it has provided a new lease of home life.

Nearly two years ago, she had separated from her husband and needed a lodger to ensure she could afford her smart, four-bedroomed semi in Manly Crescent.

A friend suggested she approach Bolton Wanderers to see if they wanted a landlady. "I didn't realise this, but they don't have to advertise as they usually have landladies on recommendation," recalled Kath. "But they sent someone round for a chat."

Club welfare officials liked her neat, welcoming home and, as the mother of two sons (Ian, now 22 and 31 year-old David) her practical parental approach.

"I had to be vetted by the police first, of course," she added. "And the lads' controlled diet and lifestyle was explained to me. But I was accepted, and my first lad was a 16 year-old French player, a Muslim, who stayed for two weeks while his landlady was on holiday."

In spite of having a lodger seeming rather strange at first, Kath quickly got into the routine.

Since then, Kath and son Ian, who lives at home - have had several young triallists and Wanderers' academy players staying with them, from as far afield as Ireland, Austria and America.

Her longest guests are her current residents, 17-year-olds Joey O'Brien from Dublin and Michael Gillan from Manchester, both in their second year at the academy.

Kath's role is straightforward and sensible. She has to ensure that they have enough good, nutritious food with lots of pasta, white meat and fresh fruit and vegetables.

They have a structured week with an in-built discipline. They must be home by 10pm from Sundays to Fridays (on Saturdays they can stay out a little later).

They must not smoke or drink, cannot have girls in their rooms and must stick to their healthy diet, including having only one cup of tea a day. The lads, who each have their own room, get up in the morning as Kath, aged 50, is leaving for her "day job" as an accounts assistant with Stuma Plastics off Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

"I leave them loads of different healthy foods for their breakfast, lots of wholemeal bread, fresh milk, yoghurt, and they look after their diet themselves," explained Kath.

In the evening, she makes them a proper meal - "even though Michael hates vegetables!"

The club also occasionally monitors what they eat by getting them to fill in forms, but Kath says that the lads are generally good and it's plain that they enjoy her home-cooking.

A young footballer's life is physically demanding, with training most days and college on two days to gain back-up qualifications. Most Saturdays, there is an under-19s match and Kath has got into the habit of going along to support "her lads."

"I really wasn't very interested in football or the Wanderers before," admitted Kath, laughing. "But I enjoy going now and seeing how Joey and Michael are doing. Occasionally, we also get complimentary tickets for the Wanderers, so now I'm a real fan!"

Kath often meets up there with other landladies and players' families, and is in touch with Joey and Michael's families, who are all grateful that the lads are settled and doing well.

The club provides excellent back-up facilities for people like Kath. "If I had a problem with one of them staying out late, for example, I can just ring up Fran Walsh (the Wanderers' welfare officer) and he will sort it.

"The club also has a system of fines. They will always deal with difficulties and offer help and advice, and there are meetings where we landladies all get together, too."

Kath, however, believes she has been especially lucky with her young charges. "They really are nice lads - when they went home for two weeks at Christmas I missed them.

"To be honest, it's just like having both my own lads still at home."

And it's plain that Joey and Michael not only like Kath but have typical teenage priorities. Ask them what is best about living at Kath's house and they are united "that chicken dish she does," they state

"Sure," added Joey, "she's great!

And if, one day, either becomes the next David Beckham or Jay-Jay Okocha, Kath will just have been very happy that she helped a young footballer to get a good start.