A FORMER football player died at the age of 35 after a drinking session in his home, an inquest heard.

Alcoholic former soldier Colin Nelson, who had played for Conference side Barnet, was found by his father.

A month before Mr Nelson died, his father Ray, 57, pleaded with doctors at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, to keep him in hospital so he could be treated.

But he was told there was nothing anyone could do to keep Mr Nelson in hospital against his will.

He is now calling for the law to be changed so alcoholics can be sectioned under the Mental Health Act and be treated if they are putting their lives at risk.

Mr Nelson senior has taken up his son's case with MP Stephen Byers, who said he had written to the Health Secretary, John Reid.

Mr Nelson was discovered by his father and his girlfriend lying in a sleeping bag on the living room floor of his flat in Eslington Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle, in November.

He played for Barnet on a semi-professional basis before his discharge from the Army eight years ago.

Mr Nelson senior, a bus driver from Killingworth, said: "There are more and more young people drinking and many get themselves into situations like Colin did.

"Yet there is nothing to protect them from themselves."

A Newcastle inquest on Mr Nelson's death ended with the verdict of death by misadventure.

Coroner David Mitford said there was no suggestion that he had tried to harm himself before he died.

His blood alcohol level was at a potentially fatal level but the presence of a painkiller was likely to have combined with the alcohol to cause death.