FORMER Burnley striker Andy Payton today issued a drink drive warning after admitting a ban had effectively ended his career.

Burnley Magistrates Court had heard how a second disqualification imposed after a late night smash had left the father-of-four without a club when his Clarets contract expired last year.

He said the ban had also caused "impossible" hurdles in his family life, especially getting to Hull each weekend to see his 11-year-old son playing football.

Payton, 36, of Badgers Close, Accrington, served more than 25 months of the ban. He is now considering putting his boots back on, but said he had had to turn down the chance of a contract with non league Stalybridge Celtic while off the road and has also had offers to stay in the Football League.

Payton also wants to further his new found career in the media. He writes a weekly column for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph each Tuesday, commentates on Burnley matches on local radio and needs his driving licence to take up paid reporting on away matches.

After the hearing, he said: "Maybe I can be an example to anybody thinking about doing what I did. A ban makes a massive difference to your life, especially when you have a family. The two years seemed like forever.

"I won't be doing it again. My message is don't drink and drive."

Payton, who said he had to face the "indignity of going on buses," while a well-known player, added he had completed his 80 hours' community service imposed after the offence.

The striker was banned on December 5, 2001, after being convicted of failing to provide a specimen. He has successfully completed a drink drivers' rehabilitation course which has knocked nine months off the ban, was due to get his licence back in March but applied to have the disqualification removed early.

Lifting the ban, District Judge Jenkins told Payton the offence was very serious and he had two similar convictions and said: "There must be a warning as to what would happen in the future."

The court heard how at 11.25pm on December 2, 2001, police found a car had hit a garden wall on Cemetery Road, Padiham. Documents in Payton's name had been found in the car and police went to his house.

Payton told the court that while disqualified he had had to turn down the opportunity of a year-long contract with Stalybridge Celtic which had offered "fairly substantial wages". Payton claimed he could "take the offer up tomorrow" if he got his licence back.

After the case, a spokesman for the Association of British Drivers said: "He has been caught out on more than one occasion and is still relatively young.

"The way it has affected him shows how even if you don't kill someone, drink-driving can ruin your life. It just isn't worth it."