WATCH: Pitch-perfect success for brave four-year-old

Oliver Baker-Clare, from Reedswood, Walsall, was born with a condition commonly known as 'club foot', but after years of successful treatment, he has now swapped his 'special boots' for a pair of real football boots.

At just-one week old, Oliver underwent surgery, followed by weekly rounds of treatment involving gentle manipulation of the foot and regular changing of leg casts.

And at just three months old, he was fitted with a pair of special boots, fixed in position by a bar, which needed to be worn for 23 hours a day up until he was six-months-old. Since then and up until just last week, Oliver wore the boots for 12 hours a day.

Oliver, who attends Woodlands Academy of Learning in Willenhall, no longer needs his 'special boots' and is able to take to the field, dreaming of one day not only pulling on an England shirt, but also wearing the jersey of his beloved Leeds United.

The football mad youngster regularly marches on together with his dad, Gary, aged 34, to Elland Road to watch their heroes.

Mom Sam, aged 30, who helps run the family plastering business with her husband, Gary, said her son's extra 'freedom' has certainly proved to be a hit.

She said: "Oliver is such a resilient little boy who has gone through such a lot already in his life. Throughout everything he's remained strong and happy. He hasn't stopped smiling since last week when his special boots were no longer needed. We're just so proud of him.

"He loves football. He's absolutely fanatical about Leeds United, like his dad, and plays for the academy of a local team, Bloxwich Rangers. At the moment he's not sure whether he wants to score the goals as a striker or save them as a goalkeeper. He's still deciding.

"We'd like to say thank-you to everyone at Birmingham Children's Hospital who has helped Oliver. The care and support they've offered to us throughout has been fantastic."

Birmingham Children's Hospital treats around 40 young people with talipes equinovarus or 'club foot' each year. A condition that affects one in 1,000 babies in the UK every year, feet look as though they have been rotated at the ankle. If left untreated, it can hugely reduce mobility in later life.

Mr Hari Prem, Orthopaedic Consultant at Birmingham Children's Hospital, said:

"The methods involved in treating Oliver's condition have a very high success rate but they do take time. We're delighted that Oliver's made it through his journey and is now able to do the things children of his age enjoying doing, like playing football. He has been very courageous and patient.

"We'll continue to see Oliver over time for check-ups to make sure things are progressing as they should be.

"All of our team would like to wish him and his family all the very best for the future."