George Green has described his move to Boston United as a ‘no-brainer’ as he continues to get his life and career back on track.

The talented midfielder has joined the Pilgrims ahead of the new season after leaving National League North rivals Chester FC earlier this summer.

Green worked with his new teammates over the weekend as United kicked off pre-season training ahead of their opening friendly against Grimsby Town on July 11.

The 23-year-old was joined by fellow new recruits Alex Whittle, a left-back, and striker Dominic Knowles, whose acquisitions have taken manager Craig Elliott’s squad to a healthy 16 players.

“It’s the right club for me at the present moment in my career,” declared Green, who had spells at Oldham, Kilmarnock, Salford and Nuneaton before joining Chester last summer.

“From a personal point of view, I want to get as many games under my belt as possible and play consistently.

“From a team point of view, there’s a lot of transformation going on at the club and they’re moving to a new ground next year.

Show Player

“I was excited by what Craig and John [McDermott, assistant manager] said to me. It was a no-brainer.”

It is a significant summer for another reason for Green, who is approaching one year clean having battled alcohol, drugs and depression in recent years.

As a 15-year-old he was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the country and signed for Everton from Bradford City in a big money deal in October 2011.

Green signed a lucrative contract, but by his own admission it was too much too soon.

He was eventually let go by the Premier League club in 2015 as his life continued to unravel.

However, after turning his life around, he is full of enthusiasm ahead of the new season and is keen to reward the people who have supported him.

“I’ll be a year clean on July 25,” he said. “For me, having that clean time behind is the most precious thing of all.

“As long as I’m doing the right things off the pitch, I know it will come together on the pitch. And for once I’m coming into a season injury-free and it’s such a good feeling.

“In terms of my recovery, I’ve just grown up a bit and not associated with the people who dragged me down that path in the first place.

“I’m determined not to let anyone down. I’ve had so much backing from clubs and managers and I want to show people the best version of myself on and off the pitch – and I think I’ve done that for the last year.

“It’s not been an easy road but I’m happy with where I am now.”

Show more

Green said his two young children have been key to turning his life around and is determined to make them proud.

“I want them to look up to me and be proud of me,” he said. “There’s the rest of my family, who have helped me through the tough times and are rooting for me to do well.”