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RIP! Ex-Man Utd trialist ended his life at 20 after persistent injuries

  /  autty

Joel Darlington, a 20-year old footballer who once had trials with Manchester United took his own life after persistent injury problems halted his progression within the game.

His United trials ended when he suffered a broken arm, while in 2017 a more pressing issue saw scar tissue in his back stemming from a slipped disc.

The back complications could not be aided by physiotherapy, and it ultimately ended his hopes of becoming a professional footballer, as well as preventing him from pursuing a career as a fitness instructor.

He suffered from anxiety and dropped out of college as a result.

On March 18, a day after a positive conversation with his dad, he was found hung from a beam in his garage at his home in North Wales by his brother Kyran, who had forced entry.

An inquest, where his parents Shaun Darlington and Dawn Davies were not present, heard that several suicide notes were found at the scene.

Related: Manchester United