A FORMER local footballer has returned to the town he played for to inspire students with an ambition in football.

Leon Scott, 32, played for Darlington Football Club during its renaissance in 2012.

The player, who works as a male model and fitness trainer off the pitch, has partnered with his former manager Martin Gray to deliver endurance training to sports students at Darlington College.

Scott will assist Gray in training the students, aged 16 to 18, in their footballing game and give them guidance on what it takes to be a professional in football.

Scott said: "I used to play for Martin and Darlington for six years and I was captain there for three years so I’ve been through it and I know what it takes.

"Now I’m fully qualified I put fitness training courses on myself and Martin asked me to come back and deliver a similar type of training to his students.

"It’s something that we didn’t really have this side of the game when we were with Martin, but it’s something that we would have liked if it was available. To be able to come back and give it to the students now I think they will massively benefit from it.

"I’m aiming to help them with the endurance, their strength, their fitness, their overall wellbeing. Not only while they’re just at college but outside of college in their life.

"I want to be able to offer them support in fitness and health in all aspects so they can come to me if they need any guidance for the future. For me to be able to offer that to them in the college facilities within their town, hopefully some might progress within the game and get a career out of it."

Martin Gray, former manager of Darlington FC, said: “The purpose of it is to try and give the students of Darlington College the opportunity to progress their football game and careers.

“What Leon brings to the modern day game in terms of his appearance and professionalism, his dedication towards this side of off-the-pitch activities. The standards that he has as a person will make him a great role model for the students.

“We’re privileged because he’s a very high-profile person within his own profession and he wants to put something back into Darlington."