Meet the latest member of the Eubank family terrifying the life out of people.

He is 16-year-old Luke Eubank, the centre forward for Hove Hammers, and he is giving defenders in the Sussex Sunday League Division Eight nightmares.

If Luke achieves his aim, he could soon be playing on a much greater stage. The Brighton youngster is hoping to swap the Hove Hammers for the Upton Park version. The pacey striker has a trial coming up at West Ham and he is desperate to be a professional footballer.

He said: "My strengths are my speed, I have two good feet and I can score. I've played a few games for the Hove Hammers and I am enjoying it. I've had a couple of hat-tricks."

Given his family's proud history of sporting success, his uncle Chris Eubank was the WBO Super Middleweight Champion boxer from 1991 to 1995, he has to be taken seriously.

He added: "I know I can make it as a professional, I really believe in myself. My uncle has given me some good advice. He doesn't patronise me or speak to me like a kid. He just tells me to have the confidence to express myself on the pitch and work hard at my game."

Luke, who supports Manchester United, used to play for the Brighton & Hove Albion Under-16s and regrets not "getting a chance" to make it with the Seagulls.

However he still thinks he can be a professional footballer, with or without his local team.

"I guess it is easier being a Eubank family member if you want to get to the top," he said. "The name takes you places, it shouldn't be the way, but it is."

Realistically Luke knows his future does not lie with the Hove Hammers and although the football is enjoyable, Sunday league football has its dangers.

"They are animals," he said. "The people I play against don't try to tackle me, they just kick me instead. No one has really taken me out, but I do get a lot of niggling little things. It's to be expected I guess."

Still at least Luke is in a better position than most to stick up for himself.

"I can box a little," he admitted. "I'm not a great boxer but I can look after myself."

Hove Hammers captain and manager Simon Alan, who has played semi-professional football for Worthing, is just relieved Luke is on his team. He said: "He's a real asset for us. I have played at a reasonable level in the past, but he is much better than me. Luke is fast, strong and good in the air. I think he has got what it takes to be a professional footballer. If he keeps playing for us we should go up."

Garth Zaver is the skipper of Belle Vue, who lost 5-2 at the hands of the Alan's team recently. He said: "The Hammers No. 10 (Luke Eubank) was incredible, he almost beat us single handedly. He got a hat-trick and we didn't know how to deal with him. I wouldn't be surprised if he made it as a pro."

It is clear that Luke has inherited some of his famous uncle's sporting prowess. Nicknamed 'Simply The Best', Eubank had the impressive record of only losing twice in 52 fights, including memorable duels with both Nigel Benn and Michael Watson.

Despite retiring in 1998, Chris Eubank has never strayed far from the limelight, he is a regular at charitable events in Sussex and featured prominently earlier this year in celebrity Big Brother.

If Luke gets his way, it will be him rather than Chris, who is the Eubank making the headlines.