A TEENAGER who was on the soccer scrap heap at 19 has been giving a football lifeline - after becoming the first Englishman to play in Poland.

Eddie Stanford had already been rejected by Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United, Preston North End and, this May, Coventry City.

But coaches at Legia Warsaw spotted the leftback's potential during a two-week trial in the Polish capital - and have snapped him up on a five-year deal.

The trial was arranged through contacts by his dad Martin, of St Anne's Close, Blackburn, who is of Polish descent.

They have offered Eddie wages of £1,500 per week.

The move was made easier by Poland's entry into the European Union, which means Eddie does not need a work permit.

Next season he will play in front of 40,000 fans as the Polish giants, runners-up in their league last year, try to reclaim their title and compete in the UEFA Cup.

Martin, a football coach who has written two books and made seven soccer skills DVDs, said: "We were devastated when Coventry didn't take him up, we didn't understand it. It was a desperate situation.

"He is at the forefront for a change. He is breaking new ground by being the first English player they've had."

Eddie was on Blackburn's books at a young schoolboy but left for Manchester United at the age of 12.

A year later, he signed for Preston North End but was released. He was then taken on by Coventry and made his debut last season in the Worthington Cup against Rushden and Diamonds. But Eddie fell out with the then manager Eric Black.

Eddie said: "I will have a chance to play in Europe with Legia Warsaw, maybe in the Champions League. I am very happy with Warsaw and I like this city."

A spokesman for European football's governing body UEFA confirmed Eddie was the first English player to play in Poland.