FOR years he dreamed of a career as a soccer star.

But now Adam Fowler has a different goal - to be the best as a Royal Marine Commando.

And he is now well into a seven-month tour of duty in action in Afghanistan against the Taliban.

Marine Fowler, 25, is serving with 42 Commando Royal Marines in Helmand Province in the troubled country.

He flew out to Afghanistan in September and will remain there until next Spring as part of a key British force.

It's a far cry from the days when he was a talented young fullback down at the Galpharm Stadium with Huddersfield Town.

Fowler, who was born and brought up in Holmfirth, was soccer -mad in his days at Holmfirth High School and started playing with Upperthong Junior Football Club, under the guidance of his dad David, who was team manager.

His mother Pat said: "He was spotted by a scout from Huddersfield Town and joined the Academy, playing for Town Boys.

"Soccer was his dream although even then he had a career in the Marines at the back of his mind and he was delighted when he left school at 16 and signed schoolboy forms.

"He played many times for the Reserves but was then stunned when Town let him go in January 2003."

Fowler was axed along with Jon Dyson, Chris Senior and Donni Clarke as part of a cost-cutting exercise as the club teetered on the brink of administration.

But it opened another door.

Fowler, who played for Wakefield & Emley, applied to the Royal Marines and was immediately accepted - doing so well in his training at Lympstone, Devon, that he won best recruit in the physical training section. The service then made use of his football background by sending him to work with the recruit teams, visiting many Premiership soccer clubs to talk to their apprentices about a military career outside football.

"He enjoyed the work but really wanted to be in the front line," said Mrs Fowler, of Cemetery Road, Holmfirth.

"He was delighted when he got back to the base and learned they were going out to Afghanistan.

"The conditions vary enormously. The camp is well-equipped, with air-conditioned tents and good food, but out in the field they have no running water, oil drums for toilets and ration packs.

"But that's what he wants to do. He is really enjoying the work.

"When he gets back he wants to go for a Junior Officers Course as he wants to progress and become a Physical Training Instructor.

"I'm in touch with him regularly, with phone calls and emails. We also send him parcels with the things he misses - magazines, toiletries and his favourite Haribo sweets!"