AN ex-professional football captain is among nine new members of staff taken on by a Keighley school.

Former Bradford city captain Lee Duxbury has joined Holy Family Catholic School as a student mentor.

Mr Duxbury, who lives in Glusburn, also captained Oldham Athletic, Huddersfield Town and Bury during his 17-year career.

He said he first found out about the opportunity at Holy Family through a contact at non-league side Eccleshill United.

"This will be the first time I've worked in a school, but I've been visiting schools over the years to chat to pupils and I'm good at getting the best out of people," he said.

"With the under 18s who've played for my reserves you have to be ready to help them out sometimes and support them, especially when they're away from home."

Mr Duxbury, 44, has had extensive experience as a coach following his many years as a player, and even completed a stint working as a tree surgeon, a job he described as much more dangerous than being a footballer.

"I was playing professionally from 18 through to when I retired at 35, and luckily I only ever had cuts and bruises," he added.

He noted that he has a family link to Holy Family, as his sister was a pupil at this school.

Holy family head teacher, Martin Hings, said the school was delighted to welcome Mr Duxbury to its complement of staff.

He said: "Lee was looking for a position in the school which would enable him to work with and be a role model for our young people.

"For the first half of the term he'll be given lots of different roles, which will include elements of coaching and teaching.

"Our school has a very strong reputation for pastoral support and care, so to have Lee working here is a really good opportunity for us."

Mr Hings said the influx of nine new staff members at the start of the term was very unusual, as Holy Family normally has a low turnover of staff.

Among the teaching recruits are: Samantha Whitham, English; Kevin Smith, maths; Heather Cottam, social sciences; Katy Stabler, physics; Brighdin Needham, biology; Toni Storey, English; Janine Webber, science; and Sara Mellor, English.

Two of the newcomers are newly qualified teachers, and the group includes locals from Cross Hills, Eastburn, Keighley, East Morton and Sutton.

Mr Hings said: "We usually have no more than about two new people at a time. This influx has come about through retirements or promotions, and it's a very exciting time for the school."