FORMER England footballer Dave Thomas was signing copies of his autobiography in Darlington Waterstones on Saturday.

The first former professional footballer to be registered blind, who lives in Lartington, near Barnard Castle,is donating all royalties from his book sales to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Guiding Me Home tells of Mr Thomas’ life from his early days in West Auckland to his days as a player at Burnley, QPR, Everton, Vancouver Whitecaps, a brief stint at Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The midfielder also racked up eight England caps in the 1974-1975 season. He was known for wearing his socks around and not wearing shinpads, something which would be illegal today and something risky for the time, when tackling was more dangerous.

His biggest inspiration was grandfather David Reece Thomas, ccaptain of West Auckland, a tea, of pitmen who helped West Auckland win the Sir Thomas Lipton World Football Trophy - the forerunner of the World Cup - in Turin in 1909.

Over the years Mr Thomas has raised £75,000 for Guide Dogs, a charity close to his heart.

He has a dog named Hannah who helps him get around.

Mr Thomas was given her in 2017 and she has given him a new lease of life, from helping him to catch the bus into Barnard Castle to guiding him around the London Underground.

Guiding Me Home and Away is published by Hornet Books for £20.