A FORMER professional footballer has joined the sports law team at Altrincham-based law firm McHale & Co.

James Berry, whose footballing career included spells at Exeter City and RRFC Montegnee in Liege, Belgium, joins the Altrincham-based law firm as a trainee solicitor after studying law at the University of Sunderland and Law College in Moorgate.

James's football career was cut short after he sustained a serious injury on his first-team debut for Exeter City in 2007.

When only 16 years old, James came on as a substitute in the 70th minute, scored the game's winning goal in the 75th minute — but broke his leg in the 80th minute during a challenge.

Although he was able to secure a professional contract with Exeter City and later a move to RRFC Montegnee, the seriousness of the injury meant he was no longer able to pursue his footballing dream.

Having had a career change forced on him, James decided to train as a solicitor and now joins McHale & Co as part of the sports law team, which aims to represent sports professionals and clubs in an ethical way to ensure success both on and off the field.

Partner Andrew McHale said: “James has great experience within the footballing profession and knows what it is like for young players to go through the youth system and to later turn professional.

"Very few other lawyers have that, we have a strong sports team here that will benefit from James's first-hand experience."

James said he hopes his experience as a professional footballer will help as he makes the switch to the legal profession, and will also prove beneficial for McHale & Co's sports law clients.

He said: "Every young boy wants to play football for a living. Training every day with professionals was a great experience and I learnt a lot, not just on the pitch, but also qualities such as discipline and focus, which have helped in the legal profession."

McHale & Co also hopes Mr Berry's dedication and determination, which saw him run the length of France in 2013, covering 720 miles in 26 days and averaging just over a marathon a day, will help McHale & Co further develop its sports law offering as it seeks to expand this part of the business.