Welfare officer for soccer hopefuls who fail to realise their dreams

THE Government is to part-fund a welfare officer to help young Irish soccer players who fail in their dreams of becoming professional stars in Britain.

An average of 50 Irish footballers sign contracts with British clubs each year, with dreams of being the next Roy Keane, Robbie Keane or Shay Given, but few of those realise their dreams or even do well enough to make a living from the game.

Eighty-five per cent of young footballers fail to make the professional grade, according to a recent study by the British Professional Footballers’ Association.