A FORMER York City footballer has spoken out about his struggles as a youngster in the hope of inspiring others.

Duane Courtney who also played for Birmingham City, Derby County, Burnley and Kidderminster Harriers, told his story in URBRUM magazine, an initiative by Birmingham-based health and social care group Common Unity designed to encourage young people in the Midlands city to achieve their goals.

He said the Lozells area of Birmingham, where he grew up, still held “a special place in my heart”, but living there during the early 1990s was “challenging” for a black youngster.

He said: “It was very easy to be sidetracked or misled by your peers, not intentionally or out of spite, but mainly out of boredom.”

Duane explained how his parents helped him develop his sporting skills to become a professional footballer, and how he could have drifted into gangs if he had not followed the soccer path, which has seen him play alongside England internationals Wayne Rooney and Joleon Lescott.

Common Unity has also developed an app for smartphones and tablets which provides a self-help guide for young people.