A FORMER Burnley footballer who was forced to retire due to illness has found a new direction in life – selling second hand luxury cars.

Ex-midfielder Paul Weller was forced to hang up his football boots in 2004 because of Crohn’s disease and has fallen out of love with working within the game after coaching spells at Turf Moor and Gigg Lane.

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The 39-year-old has now started a business W18 Cars, which is a combination of Weller and his shirt number 18 when he was playing, where he will source and buy cars for customers.

Weller has linked up with business partners AVC Motors to sell the cars. Paul said: “I have known Tim Entwistle and Tom Lord, who run AVC Motors in Barrowford, for years. They have never needed to market or sell themselves because they have such a good reputation and get repeat customers.

“I have always been a sucker for cars and I am hoping to help their business branch out while they will help me with their knowledge and experience.

“Profit is not a dirty word and like any business we want to do well but we also want to make sure that people get the best deals. It’s not just high end cars, it’s cars of all costs, shapes and sizes and we want our customers to be happy.”

Paul said he became disillusioned with football after turning to coaching following his retirement with Crohn’s disease 10 years ago, something he is still treated for.

“I love football, it’s just the politics and some of characters behind the scenes. It just stopped being for me so it was a case of ‘what do I do now?’ “Thankfully this is perfect for me and I want to make a go of it. I have got Marlon Beresford and John Deary as customers but everyone is valuable to me – whether they’re spending £300 or £30,000.“

For details go to www.w18cars.co.uk