Birmingham teen went from street robber to soccer star

Jun 28 2009 by Jonny Greatrex, Sunday Mercury

And the experienced coach has nothing but praise for the one-time bad boy’s talent and new attitude.

“James is raw but what struck me was how determined he was not to let this chance go by,’’ Eric said.

“He is quick and strong but also I saw an unbelievable desire to leave behind what he had been through.

“I think he has handled himself really well, the owners of the guesthouse where we put him up said he was extremely polite.

“I told James if he wanted a game he could meet us in Wrexham when we played down there. That was me testing how much he really wanted it and, sure enough, he turned up.”

After just 14 minutes on the pitch James bagged his first goal which he celebrated wildy with a double somersault, much to the surprise of his team mates in the low-key reserve match.

Next season he will be the youth team’s main striker and hopes to play his way into the reserves and eventually the first team.

The only downside to his new life is being separated from girlfriend of nine months Karine Crowley, 17, from Stechford, who he says has been vital in keeping him from drifting back to his old ways.

“Karine had helped keep me away from my old friends, I spend all my time with her,’’ James said.

“If she was not there I would have messed up.

‘‘I feel a much better person now.’’

Karine, who is studying health and social care, said: “James is not really a bad lad, he’s good at heart.

“He wanted to change.”