A FORMER York City player whose life spiralled into bouts of heavy drinking died due to a combination of drink and prescription drugs, an inquest heard.
Martin Garratt, who also played for Mansfield Town and Lincoln City, died at a house in Middlesbrough, where he had grown up.
He played for York City's youth team between 1995 and 1998 before going on to play for the first team in the late 1990s.
He ended the 1998/99 season with 44 appearances and one goal. He trained with Leeds United after the end of the season but was later sacked by York following personal problems and signed for Mansfield Town in 2000.
Teesside Coroners' Court heard Mr Garratt was found dead at an address in Lovaine Street just before 5.30pm on Friday, October 24.
A toxicology report showed alcohol and morphine in his system at the time of death.
Assistant Coroner Malcolm Donnelly concluded that Mr Garratt’s death was drugs and alcohol-related.
Mr Donnelly said: “It will be a little comfort to you to know that all he will have known is that he went to sleep and not woken up.”
Mr Garratt, who was born in York, later moved back to Middlesbrough where his drink problems are understood to have escalated.
He was made subject to an Antisocial Behaviour Order in 2010 banning him from numerous pubs in the town and from being drunk in a public place.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article