Former Albion hopeful Glyn Costigan's new career

Glyn Costigan says he could have ended up playing in the Premier League.

But any dream the former West Bromwich Albion hopeful had of making it in the top flight was crushed when he was crocked in a challenge with Emile Heskey.

The injury would have deflated the most optimistic football wannabe.

Yet 16 years on, Mr Costigan has achieved success on a very different career ladder - he is now a divisional director of a Dudley steel firm. "I don't hold any grudges at all," said the 33-year-old from Brewood, South Staffordshire.

"You always think how it could have been different but you can't look back in anger, you have to move on.

"I was gutted at the time. In fact it took years for me to get over it. But I'm all right now."

Mr Costigan's footballing skills were first spotted by a Birmingham City talent scout while playing Sunday league in the early 1990s.

He moved to Leeds United and was later part of Bobby Charlton's soccer school before joining Albion's apprenticeship scheme.

Here Mr Costigan had to clean the boots of players such as striker Bob Taylor and left-back Steve Lilwall and later became captain of the youth and reserve team.

But it all turned sour when he was injured playing for West Bromwich Albion Reserves against Leicester City Reserves in 1994. He said: "I went up for a challenge with Emile in the first half. It was not a bad challenge — I just went up for a header and landed awkwardly when I came down.

"The Monday after the game I went for a scan and it was worse than I thought. I had keyhole surgery but it was never the same after that — my career was over."

After the injury Mr Costigan joined Precision Steel in Wednesbury after spotting an advert for the firm in the Express & Star. He rose through the ranks and is now a divisional director for Dudley firm United Steels.

And in the father-of-one's mother's eyes he can do no wrong. Elaine Costigan, a Sandwell councillor, said: "We're so proud of him. He's 33 now, and he doesn't regret the way things have panned out."