YOUNG legal eagles had a ball when Bolton Wanderers star Gudni Bergsson popped into their school to congratulate them on a courtroom victory.

The Reebok iceman, who has trained in law, took time out from last minute preparations for the weekend showdown with Leeds to visit a group of school pupils who have proved to be among the premiership contenders in the judicial stakes.

A 12-strong team of Year 8 pupils recently took part in the national Magistrates Court Mock Trial competition where they finished in the top four out of 5,000 entries.

The team was given real-life court cases and then had to bring the case to trial.

Some members of the team acted as defence, and others prosecution as well as court staff including the bench and clerk.

The Southlands High School team in Chorley was first crowned best in the North-west when the youngsters won the regional heats before going to on to the finals held at Nottingham Magistrates Court.

Deputy headteacher Brian Souter said: "The pupils had to prepare for this in the same way as any legal team would prepare for a big trial and they were incredibly professional. "The project is aimed at giving pupils who are interested in a career in law a taster of what it is actually like but it is also a great confidence booster for pupils, particularly when they have done so well."

And it was not by chance alone that Gudni was chosen to congratulate the youngsters on their achievement.

The Bolton captain will be swapping the penalty box for the witness box when he finally hangs up his boots having recently qualified as a lawyer.

Defender Gudni, aged 36, began his legal studies before he entered the beautiful game.

He revealed: "As a youngster growing up in Iceland I never thought I would become a professional footballer so the law was going to be my career.

"I studied at the University of Iceland and have finished these studies and qualified during my last two years with Bolton."

Eventually Gudni will join a legal practice in his native Iceland where he will look at all kinds of cases. "Thankfully there is not that much crime in Iceland so lawyers have to be very flexible," he said. "I hope to look at some criminal cases but I will also look at other areas such as family law and I have taken extra studies in European Law and Competition Law." And his advice to his newfound young fans was simple "stay in school".

And while the jury may still be out on the result of Saturday's big clash at Elland Road, you can be sure that Gudni will be mounting a spirited defence.