AS a promising young goalkeeper, former Burnley apprentice Trevor Shanley earned a glowing reputation for keeping 'em out.

Injury brought a cruel and premature end to that particular career path, but Trevor is still doing what he does best by offering the region's business world a safe pair of hands.

As the founder and managing director of Alert Security Systems, based just a mile or so from Turf Moor, the bubbly 30-year-old heads up the only nationally recognised independent security company in the town.

He may be young, certainly in business terms, but Trevor has been in charge for close on a decade.

He said: "Our 10th anniversary is due and that will be cause for celebration.

"I might only be 30, but I feel like 60 sometimes for it's been that sort of roller-coaster ride."

Trevor is what you might call 'hands on'

He said: "I have to turn my hand to everything round here, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I would never ask anyone to do a job I wasn't prepared to do and believe that has helped develop a great team spirit."

The former Barden High School pupil played for the town football team and was on the books of Burnley FC when he trained as an apprentice electrician.

With 'alarm bells' ringing following his back injury, Trevor moved away from football. He fitted a home security system for his sister and was 'alerted' to the future.

"It struck me that I could do it well and there was clearly a demand. I'd seen the light. I carried on playing football in the lower leagues with Nelson and Barnoldswick whilst building up a business," he said.

At 19, with a home office in the spare bedroom and his dad in support, Trevor launched his own security company.

"With help and advice from the Prince's Youth Business and Burnley Enterprise Trusts, we drew up a business plan and we were under way by February 1994. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength.

"We received SSA Security Systems Association accreditation and I was the youngest on their books. Trying to sell alarm systems at 19 years old isn't easy. Still, I took on my first apprentice after around two years and we

have been building ever since."

From domestic jobs, Alert graduated to nationally-approved status -- earning "gold" award.

The firm also has gained the ISO 9000 quality assurance standards to underpin expansion into the complex world of business and commercial security systems. The company has grown largely through word-of-mouth recommendation and is one of the North's fastest developing companies specialising in be-spoke security packages including state of the art CCTV, access control and intruder alarm systems.

And for Trevor, that means a 24/7 commitment. He said: "The buck stops with me although I am lucky to have an experienced team of highly-qualified dedicated engineers permanently on hand. We can respond swiftly to any

problem at any time."

Indeed, Trevor recognises that quality assurance and peace of mind is what security is all about. So much so, in one sense it's hampering growth.

Trevor explained: "The installation, maintenance and customer service standards that I demand are so high, I just can't get the calibre of qualified engineers to expand my team.

"I'm just like the football manager trawling for the right people to help us go forward. You can't just bring anyone in, they have to be committed, courteous, trustworthy and fit in the team. Right now, I'm seriously wondering if they are even out there." As managing director, or 'head coach,' from day one, Trevor has been at the sharp end, and occasionally he's suffered.

He said: "It is stressful and I do take it home with me, but I enjoy it and no two work-days are ever the same, which is exactly how I like it.

"Technology is constantly developing, so we all have to keep up to speed. Dealing with people on a daily basis is an important issue. Surveying, advising, installing, monitoring, upgrading, training, recruiting - the range of tasks is endless.

"Security is a sensitive issue. We are fully insured, engineers have full uniforms, ID cards and the vans have logos - unless we are doing a covert camera operation - again, it's all part of the team effort.

"One minute, my company is dealing with some of the largest companies in the North West including local Education Authorities, the next installing an alarm in the smallest granny flat.

"You can appreciate the variety and that's what I love about the work."