Former Premier League player offering free online coaching lessons during lockdown

On his Forza Football Academy Facebook page, the ex-professional is doing coaching drills for people of all ages to keep peoples' skills sharp while they stay at home.

Welsh played for the likes of Stockport County, Leicester City and Blackpool, as well as Sunderland, throughout his professional career before hanging up his boots after a stint in non-league with Yorkshire clubs Farsley AFC and Ossett Albion.

He was most recently manager of Ossett United but left that role last autumn.

Welsh has seen the success of Joe Wicks PE lessons which are held over YouTube every morning and is hoping to provide young footballers with something different to look forward to.

"We set little challenges so people can learn new skills every session and that is every Monday and Friday," said Welsh.

"I have set up a YouTube channel and doing it live on Facebook as well.

"For five to nine-year-olds it is 30 to 35 minutes a session and for older ones, which is 10-year-olds to adults, it is 40 to 45-minute sessions.

"We are getting the households to compete against each other. We have even got a few people from Glasgow doing it now as well.

"It is something different to what people are doing as well and gives the kids something to look forward to.

"It is just about trying to keep people active. A lot of people are doing PE with Joe Wicks which is brilliant but this gives a competitive edge with some football."