The Yak is back & giving kids a second chance

EVERTON legend Yakubu is helping to set up a football academy to save the careers of kids who drop out of the game.

Yakubu is the perfect player to be involved in the project, as he grew up in Nigeria having to play barefoot because his parents could uld not afford to buy him a pair of boots.

But the former Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Everton striker, now 38, refused to give up on his dream and went on to score 95 goals in 252 Premier League appearances.

Yakubu (playing for the Toffees, above) will coach alongside the likes of Kit Symons, Adrian Whitbread and others at a residential course in Cyprus from next March.

It will help to improve the youngsters’ game and profile to ensure they get another chance in the sport.

The Bentley Sports Group has carried out research which shows just one per cent of youngsters who sign with academies at 12 end up playing professional football, and are ready to help them find clubs after being released.

Yakubu – who was nicknamed ‘The Yak’ – said: ““I want to pus push these boys to follow their d dreams. They have the a ability, but d don’t have pe people around them to talk about hard work and dedication.

“I grew up playing barefoot, I couldn’t afford shoes, my parents couldn’t afford shoes for me to play football, and it was my hard work and dedication.

“I worked so hard to achieve where I am today. That’s what I try to pass on to the young ones.

“We are looking for players who are ready to work hard, the ones who are ready to show to the clubs that they made the greatest mistake of their lives to let them go.”