Boxing: Prove you're a knockout, son; Cockbain's salute to teen ace Ian.

Byline: DAVID JONES 

THE prospect of any opponents down the years having to face one Ian Cockbain has been bad enough - now they have to contend with TWO!

What is worse is the view of dad that 15-year-old Ian Andrew Cockbain is ``two years ahead of me.''

Ian senior will lead his Firwood Bootle side out against Leigh on Sunday in the Echo Knockout final (12 noon start) at Wadham Road with an extra element of pride and delight that his son has not only established himself in the side, but has had a quite remarkable season all round.

Dad described young Ian's performance in scoring 170 in 34 overs in the under-15 final against Ormskirk as ``quite staggering,'' particularly as he had helped Bootle beat Formby in the semis with 154 not out.

``He has played five matches in the under-15s and scored 277 runs at an average of 138.5,'' his dad revealed. Furthermore, in the Echo Knockout Under15 district tournament, his displays have been similarly spectacular, with 464 runs at an average of 154.

``He got 38 in the league against Leigh and 51 against Sefton, so he has done really well in the last few weeks,'' commented his dad. ``When I was 15, I was playing for Bootle thirds and while I leapfrogged into the first team, I was 17 before I scored my first first team 50. So he's two years ahead of me.

Ian senior, the cornerstone of Bootle's team for almost two decades, continued: ``He is a very modest lad; very quiet. He has made a big improvement this year from last , but we mustn't get carried away.''

He acknowledges that his son is one of a fine crop of youngsters who are developing so well in the tough arena of Liverpool Competition Premier League cricket.

``Leigh's Steve Mullaney is an excellent player and is already in the England under-15 side. He's a super little cricketer, while Sefton's Chris Whelan has a great chance to be a first class cricketer. James Cole is becoming a fine wicketkeeper at Northern so we are really lucky.

``The Premier League is a very good standard and there are kids of 15 and 16 not just playing in it, but playing major roles.''

The skipper went on: ``Our Ian just lives and breathes it. He was at Everton for a year as a goalkeeper and they had him doing press-ups. His reaction was `At 13, I will be able to hit the ball into Wadham Road'.''

With Leigh's emergence and the recent league win over Bootle, Cockbain feels they will start favourites. ``They are a fine side. I think the danger with us in the Echo is that with a shortened game (the match is two innings each of 20 overs) the match can revolve around four players, which might play into Leigh's hands. We have more allround strength.

``It should be a brilliant game. I have never failed to win a trophy as skipper in 16 years and I hope that continues.''

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LIKE FATHER: Young Ian Cockbain, who is enjoying a great season, with his proud dad at Wadham Road