A PHYSIO who counts Wayne Rooney and David Moyes among his former workmates is sharing his expertise with East Lancashire students at Accrington and Rossendale College.

Former Blackburn Rovers full-back Mick ‘Basil’ Rathbone will be lecturing and helping out with the college’s football team until the end of the academic year.

Mick, who is better known as Baz, was given his professional debut by hometown club Birmingham City in 1976 and went on to play for Rovers, Preston North End and Halifax Town.

But when a serious knee injury cut short his playing days in 1991, he undertook a degree in physiotherapy at Salford University and carved out a new career.

Following an ill-fated spell as manager of Halifax, he was made club physio at Preston, where he forged a strong working relationship with David Moyes.

In 2002 he followed Moyes to Premier League giants Everton, where he was head of sports medicine until May 2010, working with stars including Rooney along the way.

Baz, who lives in Blackburn, said he was keen to pass on some of his knowledge to the area’s students.

He said: “When I left Everton the college asked me to do some lecturing, but I couldn’t at that time “A couple of days ago they asked me again, and as it happened between then and summer, I had three Engalnd under 17s games, but apart from that work I did have a bit of spare time, so it fitted in perfectly. Most of the England matches are in the holidays as well, so it is fantastic.

“The set-up at the college is really impressive and Mark Fell, the head of sport, is doing a fantastic job.”

Baz said he left Everton to concentrate on writing The Smell of Football, which documents his rollercoaster life in the game.

Since being released last August, the book has received plaudits from critics and fans alike.

He said: “I’m really pleased because I knew I really liked it and I always thought it was going to be good, but then I’m biased.

“The response from supporters and critics has meant a lot to me.

“The last 18 months have been fantastic, but next season I’ll be looking to get back into full-time football.”