Boro England prospect wanted to quit at 13

WHEATER'S FAMILY FORTUNE

ENGLAND prospect David Wheater almost turned his back on football—to hang out on Friday nights with his pals.

The Middlesbrough centre-half was tempted to quit the Riverside at the age of 13.

But he is now grateful mum Monica and dad Colin made sure their son stayed on the straight and narrow and avoided a jobless future.

Wheater, 21, said: "It is because of my family that I am where I am today.

"I wanted to quit when I was about 13 because a lot of my mates in Redcar were going out on a Friday night and that was when I had to go to training.

"But my mum and dad kept me right and that has led me to where I am now.

"I didn't miss anything and I think I would have been on the dole if I had not listened to my parents and kept working at my football.

"When I was younger my parents would be coming in from work and then going straight out again to drive me to training, not getting in until late.

"I don't think they minded and considering what I am doing now they are quite pleased to have done it."

Wheater added: "It was only a couple of years ago that I was in the academy. It is weird because I even have someone cleaning my boots now."