But the 23 year old needed more than just money and luck to secure his dream, he had to overcome cancer.

Sadly, the terrible illness claimed another victim and Tim's World Cup dream was never fulfilled - he died of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at St Bartholemew's Hospital last December.

However, Tim's family want to keep his World Cup dream alive with a charity walk covering the 500 miles from the new Wembley Stadium to the Waldstadion at Frankfurt, where England play their first match in the World Cup finals on 10 June.

To honour Tim's courageous life, the Reeve family are launching the Tim Reeve Charitable Trust in his memory. Tim died as he lived - with courage and bravery. Despite the excellent medical and nursing care he received, he was unable to overcome a disease that still kills seven out of 10 of all young adult sufferers.

The charitable trust will support research to improve cure rates for teenagers and young adults suffering from acute leukaemia and make information about complementary therapies more available to patients and their families.

Click here to see the trust's official site, where you can make a donation.

Tim's adult life was only beginning when he was first diagnosed with leukaemia. He had just started at university and was looking forward to a future full of opportunities and possibilities. A keen sportsman, he was passionate about football.

He played from the age of eight until he was too ill to continue and was a loyal supporter of Leeds United and England. During 2005, when he still hoped for a cure, two of his dreams were to see Leeds back in the top flight and to go to the World Cup Finals.

The football community are backing the walk. As well as an England shirt autographed by the World Cup Squad, signed shirts have also been donated by Arsenal, West Ham United, Norwich City and Leyton Orient, as well as a message of good luck and shirt from Peter Crouch signed by his Liverpool team mates.

John's marathon trek starts on Saturday and you can follow his progress by clicking here.