HESLINGTON author Dan Wagstaffe once performed kick-ups in front of a packed David Longhurst Stand under the watchful eye of future Premier League manager Ricky Sbragia.

As a talented schoolboy footballer, he also rubbed shoulders with the likes of Alan Smith before his fellow Leeds United trialist went on to find fame and fortune with Manchester United and England.

When released by York City, the team he supported, Wagstaffe went on to play for Selby Town and Garforth.

But an ankle ligament injury saw the talented striker drift into local parks football where, despite scoring six goals on his comeback match for New Earswick, he wound up failing to make the Elvington Harriers’ first XI in the third division of the Leeper Hare York and District League.

Wagstaffe’s frustration peaked two years ago when he earned an eight-month ban for an alleged head butt on the field and he has concentrated on writing pretty much ever since.

His first novel – Honey Rich – tells the story of a young footballer who, groomed for superstardom, is forced to contend with the fall-out when his career fails to fulfil its supposed potential.

While modest enough to concede he was probably never destined for the bright lights of the Premier League, former Carlton Holy Family School pupil Wagstaffe, now 29, has clearly drawn on his experiences of the football world to pen a very entertaining and gritty read.

Full of social commentary and examining the modern-day obsession with wealth and fame, Honey Rich is targeted at an often elusive market when it comes to buying and reading books – men aged under 35.

Packed with clever metaphors – a personal favourite being “carrying balls heavier than the ones used in ‘66” to sum up the lead character’s lack of bedroom activity – it delivers and the book is selling quickly on-line ahead of hitting the shelves at Waterstone’s and Borders next month.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, inspiration for the book first struck Wagsttafe while watching a post-Football League City fixture.

He said: “The idea came to me during the 3-0 FA Cup defeat against Grays in 2005.

“Michael Kightly, who is at Wolves now, was brilliant that day for them but Andy Bishop and Clayton Donaldson both had nightmares.

“I just found the story of somebody expected to reach the top but not getting there an interesting one.”

As a prolific writer, the tale of Nige Honey is not the only story psychology graduate Wagstaffe wants to tell.

His first play Blood Relative was well received when shown in Hull and attracted interest from the West Yorkshire Playhouse and London’s Royal Court Theatre.

He has also almost completed his second book Panto and Carrot Cake as well, with another stage-play, Fruit, in the pipeline.

Wagstaffe is now a full-time writer having previously run a bar, as well as working in Customs and Excise and as an ombudsman for the local government.

He is a member of Script Yorkshire, who provide a support network for anybody aspiring to a career in broadcasting or writing. They offer funding, help and advice via courses and workshops.

His current life is a world away from the one that might have beckoned when he attended a residential trial at Leeds and also received approaches from Manchester City and Southampton.

He also shared pitches with the likes of Jonathan Greening, Steven Haslam and Delroy Facey during three years in City’s School of Excellence.

Andy Dawson, though, was the only player to progress into the professional ranks from Wagstaffe’s crop of teenage hopefuls, who were once asked to demonstrate their ball skills by Sbragia at half-time during a first-team match against Barnet.

Many others also fell by the wayside with Wagstaffe adding: “Scott Barley was the best player at my age level. I thought he would go on to be a Steven Gerrard type but he didn’t make the grade.”

Wagstaffe holds no grudge, however, against Sbragia who, after overseeing City’s youth programme, went on to enjoy a successful coaching career with Manchester United and Bolton before taking over from Roy Keane as Sunderland manager this season.

“Ricky Sbragia was very professional and I got a rollicking the first time I met him,” Wagstaffe recalled. “I couldn’t find my trainers at home so I turned up in some basketball boots with fluorescent laces.

“He told me he would not have footballers training in them and that he didn’t want to see me in them again.

“He was a man to be respected and it doesn’t surprise me what he’s gone on to do because he knows his stuff.

“I can remember having to do 20 press-ups for scoring when I was told to play the ball back and never understanding why but, in truth, my inability to listen to people like Ricky Sbragia probably hindered my development.”

Honey Rich costs £6.99 and can be ordered from www.ypd-books.com or www.amazon.co.uk. He also has his own website www.danwagstaffe.co.uk