A TOP non-league footballer has been jailed for his role in a drug gang which supplied heroin and cocaine.

Terry Fearns, 32, who starred in attack for Chorley last season, admitted along with 12 other people, conspiracy to supply class A drugs in 2009.

He was sentenced to four years and eight months by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court.

Fearns was Chorley Football Club's joint top scorer last season despite only playing until November 21, when he was suspended by the club after being charged with the offences.

He scored 14 goals for the club in just 17 league games after making his debut last August.

He signed for the Magpies in July 2009 after being released by Telford and also previously played for Southport, St Helens Town and Marine FC.

Fearns, of Lincoln Green, Maghull, Merseyside, was charged after investigations by both Merseyside and Tayside Police.

In a nine-month operation, police seized heroin and chemicals used to mix with it with an estimated street value of £850,000 to £1.2m, along with cocaine, a heroin press and £6,600 in cash.

The other 12 in the drugs ring, 11 men and one woman, were given custodial sentences ranging from eight years in prison to one year's suspended imprisonment.

Chief Superintendent Tony Doherty of Merseyside Police said: "This involved some major players and their couriers in the supply of a substantial quantity of class A drugs.

"We will not tolerate drug-related activities and will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in drugs."

John Newman, Magpies correspondent for the Chorley Citizen, said: "As soon as Terry signed the fans could see he was a special player.

"He scored a lot of goals in his spell at Chorley and if he had carried on playing I'm sure the club would have finished much higher.

"It's very sad that he was mixed up in this."