YOUNG football players were given a fascinating glimpse into the life of a professional when former England defender Mike Dawson returned to his home town.

The Hull City defender spent more than two hours talking to 120 players and parents from Leyburn Junior FC at the town's Dalesman club on Sunday afternoon.

During the event which raised more than £500 for club funds, the former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest player gave an outstanding achievement award to 11-year-old Rhys Swift.

Rhys has played for Leyburn JFC as a striker for the last four seasons despite being partially sighted and was thrilled to receive the award from his favourite player.

Dawson, who was brought up in Leyburn and played for Northallerton Town before joining the Nottingham Forest Academy aged 16, was grilled for more than an hour about his life and thoughts on football.

The player spoke warmly of former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp who he said helped him recover his confidence after he struggled under Juande Ramos, and revealed that the laziest player he had worked with was former Newcastle and Hull midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa.

One youngster asked how much he earned. In response, Dawson joked that he earned a lot less now than he did when playing in the Premier League.

Asked about the best advice he could give the youngsters, he said it would be to make sure they enjoy themselves playing football.

The player presented a signed Tottenham shirt with his name on the back to be auctioned off.

The shirt was won by the popular retired Wensleydale School caretaker and bus driver Charlie Macgillivray. The club presented Dawson a cake to thank him for his time.