FORMER Middlesbrough footballer John Hendrie has turned has been signed up as a legal consultant by law firm Last Cawthra Feather (LCF).

The ex-Boro striker will help the region's current crop of footballers in negotiations over contracts and sponsorship deals as well as with their personal affairs.

Mr Hendrie, who scored 56 goals in six years at Middlesbrough, said the large amounts of money to be made out of the game meant young footballers were vulnerable to exploitation.

He said: "Even when I was playing, there was a lot of players getting ripped off. Young players are unskilled in these kind of matters and if they are not careful, they can easily get cheated.

"Unfortunately, there is not much the clubs can do to help, so the players have to tread carefully."

LCF provides legal advice to players at a number of North-East Premier League and Coca-Cola Championship clubs.

Mr Hendrie, who also managed Barnsley, will be joined at LCF sports legal team by ex-Newcastle United player Jim Pearson.

Mr Hendrie said: "It is a new career move for me, but it is one I find very interesting.

"It is good to be able to pass on some of the experience I have gained to today's crop of players."