A FOOTBALL-mad Westbury boy is heading for Switzerland to represent his country in a competition for diabetic youngsters.

Marcus Gilroy, 10, will join the UK team at the Olympic Stadium in Lausanne today, to compete for the Junior Cup.

The team will take on 150 other children from 12 countries at the event, organised by insulin pump manufacturer Medtronic.

Westbury Leigh Primary School pupil Marcus, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was four, is travelling with his father, Chris, 36, and younger brother Jack, seven.

Mother Judy, 29, said: “Marcus can’t wait to go. He loves football and is excited about playing for the UK.

“We went up to Wembley for the trials and we didn’t think he was going to make it as there were a lot of really good kids taking part, so he has been on cloud nine since he found out.

“He has been playing since he was four.

“His grandad is a big Southampton fan, so they go to matches together, and I like Man United, so he supports them as well.”

Marcus, who lives with his parents and brothers Jack and Harry, two, in Sandalwood Road, plays for Frome Town AFC and was named the manager’s player of the year last season.

As a result of his fluctuating sugar levels, he suffers mood swings and has also been affected by restricted growth.

A year ago he was also diagnosed with coeliac disease, meaning his food must be gluten-free, as well as weighed so his insulin pump can be adjusted.

“He gets quite angry when he is on a high, and upset because he doesn’t know why he can’t control it, and he gets very lethargic on a low,” added Mrs Gilroy.

“He is on an insulin pump now, as about a year ago his doctor realised he hadn’t been growing for the previous 18 months, and his levels weren’t under control.”

The tournament, run in association with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, takes place on Saturday and Sunday.