FORMER Colchester United player and coach Adrian Webster is back on the fundraising trail and supporting a charity close to his heart.

The 69-year-old has just released his ninth book, A-Z of Football/Soccer Coaching, and hopes to raise vital money for Children with Cancer UK.

It is a cause with extra significance, having fought his own battle with the illness.

And the timing of this book is particularly poignant as it coincides with the fifth anniversary of his successful surgery for bowel cancer.

Mercifully, Mr Webster is fit and well again and his latest book draws on a lifetime of football experience, having played his part in the famous United States soccer revolution of the Seventies, when the star-studded North American Soccer League was in its pomp and paved the way for the sport’s rise in popularity in the States.

"I'm really proud of my new book," he said.

"It coincides with it being five years since I had surgery for bowel cancer and a few weeks ago I was given the all-clear after a colonoscopy.

"When I got back on the ward, I couldn’t help but think about all the young children that have been stricken with cancer.

"It's such an awful disease and made me more determined than ever to try and help.

"Around the time of being diagnosed, I'd just finished my first book, Eternal Blue Forever Green.

"I decided I'd donate all proceeds to Children with Cancer UK.

"That was always my goal when I started writing these books.

"It's a wonderful cause and I just want to do whatever I can to give these young kids a fighting chance."

Mr Webster's illustrious career saw him rub shoulders with the likes of Pele, George Best and Bobby Moore.

After nearly 20 years in the States, he returned to Essex in 1991 and linked up with former club Colchester, undertaking several roles including Centre of Excellence Manager and within the youth set-up, at Layer Road.

He spent a decade working at the Colne Academy, in Brightlingsea, and was most recently assistant manager at FC Clacton.

Former Monkwick School student Mr Webster is no stranger to the publishing world.

His previous books have been packed with memories and nostalgia and Eternal Blue Forever Green was about his journey growing up in Colchester and then going to North America.

He also published a 134-page illustrated book to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Seattle Sounders’ showpiece game against New York Cosmos, which was played in front of a crowd of nearly 36,000 in Portland.

His latest book is packed with advice and pearls of wisdom, to help the stars of tomorrow.

He hopes will inspire youngsters to follow their dreams and pursue a career in the game.

"So far, the feedback has been great and I've had some lovely comments," said Mr Webster, who lives in Colchester.

"Hopefully it’s a message to young players that if you have that dream to become a pro you have to work hard.

“Along the way there will be obstacles but, like in all walks of life, it’s how you deal with them.

"I know it's a difficult time right now, because of everything that's going on in the world, but I'd love to turn a few more of those great comments into cash.

"Hopefully it'll be the start of my donation for next year.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone that's purchased my books and to those that haven’t, please help give these kids a fighting chance."

A-Z of Football/Soccer Coaching is available on Amazon.