A FOOTBALL coach who claimed disability benefit was filmed running, kicking and heading a ball.

Undercover footage showed Simon Maher, who said he was ‘virtually unable to walk’, taking warm-ups and running along the touchline while in charge of Blackburn Eagles FC.

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The 38-year-old, of Whitby Drive, Blackburn, admitted falsely claiming £3,282 over the course of 13 months.

Maher had told the Department for Work and Pensions it took him five minutes to walk 25 metres.

But the former semi-professional footballer, who insisted he needed help to have a shower and put on his shoes, was able to help out during sessions with the Eagles’ under-13 side.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the surveillance footage showed many of his claims were not true.

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She said: “He was managing two teams at Blackburn Eagles Junior Football Club and would attend matches on Sunday morning and afternoon as well as training on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“He was filmed at matches walking up and down the touchline, taking part in warm-ups and carrying equipment. His mobility appeared to be full, as described by one piece of footage which showed him running, kicking, heading and catching the ball.”

Maher worked as a site supervisor at a school working for Blackburn with Darwen Council for 10 years but was forced to quit when a heavy object fell on his head at work, the court heard.

He had then claimed disability benefit but failed to inform the authorities when his mobility became better.

Deborah Morgan, defending, said: “He suffered a fractured spine and was unable to work and needed a huge amount of medical intervention.”

Miss Morgan said that prior to his accident, Maher had been a keen sportsman and earned a black belt in karate.

She said: “That all stopped and he fell into serious depression. At some point his psychiatrist told him if he got himself out and about and pushed himself it would help his mental state.

“On medical advice he got back into assisting with the coaching of the junior football teams.”

Maher received cortisone injections periodically and immediately after became much more mobile and was able to get more involved with the coaching.

Miss Morgan added: “The effects would start to wear off. It is important to say that during the period of the claim he underwent eight physical examinations by DWP doctors and they assessed him and decided he was still eligible for benefits.”

Maher pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances which affected his entitlement to disability allowance between October 2012 and November 2013.

He was made subject to a curfew between 9pm and 7am for 12 weeks and ordered to pay £145 costs by Blackburn Magistrates’ Court.

A DWP spokesperson said: “Only a small minority of benefit claimants are dishonest, but cases like this show how taxpayers’ money is being diverted from those who really need them.

“We are determined to find those who we suspect are cheating the system by following up on tip-offs, undertaking surveillance and working with local councils.

“Deliberately not informing us of a change in your condition that may affect your claim is a crime. Don’t wait for our fraud investigators to find you - tell us of a change now. If you suspect someone of fraudulently claiming benefits, then call our National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440.”

In a statement, Blackburn Eagles chairman Chris Whalley said: "Today Blackburn Eagles FC has learnt that one of its managers has pleaded guilty to dishonesty offences involving benefits.

"This is a personal matter and all benefits claimed were for personal gain of Mr Maher, all outside of the club's remit. At no time has any benefit claim been made for, or on behalf of, Blackburn Eagles FC by Mr Maher.

"The club was contacted by the benefits agency for information, which was provided. The club has not been updated since by the agency or Mr Maher.

"Mr Maher has been an unpaid volunteer at the club and announced at the club meeting this week, his intention to leave at the end of the season.

"The club continues to strive to be the best run club in the county providing grassroots football at its best for all its members. All managers, coaches and volunteers go through stringent processes to get involved including enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

The club will be holding a members' meeting on Monday to discuss the matter.