FORMER York City star Gordon Staniforth has pledged to join the fight against drugs after an inquest heard how Ecstasy claimed his son's life.

He says he will take part in pilot schemes to take a warning message about the dangers of drugs and also excessive alcohol into classrooms and colleges.

He revealed that he had already spoken to members of one youth club at Acomb about the role Ecstasy had played in his footballer son's death, and about the devastating impact on his whole family.

"You could have heard a pin drop," he said. "It has had a profound effect on them."

York Coroner Donald Coverdale said the death of the 20-year-old Sheffield Wednesday player, following his collapse outside a York nightclub, should serve as a warning to other young people in the York area.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, he said it was the first inquest he had conducted involving a death caused by Ecstasy, but Thomas's experience had shown what a dangerous substance it could be.

The inquest heard that Thomas, of Copmanthorpe, died principally of a brain swelling caused by Ecstasy, but a viral condition was a contributory factor.

Witnesses told how he had been feeling poorly for several days, complaining of a bad headache. On the day of his collapse last August, Thomas - described as a heavy drinker - had been to various pubs and drunk the equivalent of eight pints of beer.

When he arrived at Toffs nightclub in Toft Green, he was laughing and joking before suddenly collapsing to the ground in a fit. Despite efforts by friends and nightclub staff with first aid, he was later pronounced dead at York District Hospital.

A friend, Craig Ventress, said Thomas had been a fine footballer, who had been struggling with arthritis in his ankle.

The inquest was told that a man had been charged with supplying Thomas with Ecstasy, but had been acquitted.

Updated: 11:20 Friday, April 26, 2002