Promising footballer killed himself after racking up large debts

A promising young footballer hanged himself after racking up large debts with a loan company to pay off drug dealers, his mother said today.

Brian Shields, 22, from Runcorn, Cheshire, committed suicide as his debts spiralled out of control.

Facing threats from local drug dealers, Brian agreed to a loan from a registered finance firm with an interest rate of 90%.

He initially borrowed £300, then took out two further loans and four months later he owed more than £2,000 with no hope of paying it.

His mother Carol Highton said her son, who played for Wigan Athletic and Oldham Athletic as a schoolboy, started taking cocaine after falling in with the wrong crowd.

She said she wanted what had happened to her son to act as a warning to other parents.

She said: "People think it won't happen to them but it can happen to anyone.

"Brian was just a normal lad. He was clever, he passed his A-levels and wanted to go to university to study psychology.

"But he decided to concentrate on his football instead."

Brian was released from Wigan, which left him devastated, and began working as a fencer.

Around six months before his death Miss Highton said she noticed a change in her son.

She said: "He just wasn't himself, he seemed very quiet but I had no idea what the matter was.

"It was only after his death that I discovered what had been going on.

"I realised how desperate he must have been faced with the drug dealers wanting his money and the loan company.

"This is destroying my community and I want to make sure it doesn't destroy another family's life."

Brian died last December but his mother decided to speak out as the anniversary of his death approached.

She said: "It's almost a year since Brian died and nothing has been done."

Paul Nicholoson, director of Runcorn-based Falcon Securities Ltd which loaned the money, said: "Brian never missed a payment so I had no idea there was a problem and there was a never any need to chase him for money.

"I did not know what he was spending his money on. That is none of my business.

"Our initial loan rate is 90%, but that is reduced on subsequent loans if the debt has been properly repaid.

"Among our 500 customers, the average interest rate is 50%. That is lower than the national loan firms who offer this type of finance.

"This is a legitimate company, licensed under the Consumer Credit Act."

Copyright Press Association 2006