From the age of 18, the South Africa-born midfielder was a full-time professional, playing for clubs including Oldham Athletic and Doncaster Rovers, before spending five years with SuperSport United in his native country.

But eventually, as every pro footballer discovers, the final whistle sounds.

To read more on this story, subscribe to our new e-edition. Go to E-edition.jewishtelegraph.com.

If you have a story or an issue you want us to cover, let us know - in complete confidence - by contacting newsdesk@jewishtelegraph.com, 0161-741 2631 or via Facebook / Twitter