TEENAGER Adam Dawson has been given a Premier League contract at Wigan Athletic, just weeks after leaving Bury.

Eighteen-year-old winger Dawson almost turned his back on the game after spending most of his teenage years at Liverpool, before moving back to his home town club.

The former Derby High School boy left the Gigg Lane by mutual consent just before the departure of Alan Knill to Scunthorpe United, and was without a club until his successful trial in front of Latics boss Roberto Martinez.

And the youngster has Bury-based family friend and football consultant Chris Postle to thank for helping arrange the trial which resurrected his career.

“Going to Liverpool was a good experience,” said Dawson. “But I let myself down. I made a mistake when I was young, I was a bit daft.

“I had bit of a bad attitude and a discipline problem.

“I was immature, after leaving home at the age of 14 to live in Liverpool five days a week, attending school one day a week. After being taken away from my friends and social life I found it very difficult to settle down.

“Liverpool were very strict, but when I came back to Bury I found it even more difficult. It didn’t really work out until Chris got involved.

“He sorted me out and told me to keep going, even though I felt like I wanted to give up at times.”

Postle persuaded the Wigan manager to give the left-sided right footed wide player a trial.

“I got into a few training sessions,” continued Dawson. “Then we had a game two days later against Everton, and, knowing that Martinez was watching me, I had to prove a point. But it was difficult with all the pressure.

“But I hung in there, and did well. The next morning Chris called me and said they’d offered me a contract.”

Postle, who handles the affairs of up to 10 players, ranging from the Premier League to the Conference, has known Dawson since he was 13 years old.

“At the time I was scouting for Manchester City,” he said. “I tried to take him to City, but Adam and his parents decided to opt for an alternative offer from Liverpool. But I always kept in touch with him and monitored his progress.

“He knows my children and I played football myself, so I know what is needed to be successful.

“I’ve told Adam all he has to do is go to Wigan and do everything the manager says, and show him the ability he has.

“A lot of it is about attitude. Do they want it? Adam clearly does.”

The youngster has been told by Martinez he stands a chance of playing for the DW Stadium club in the FA Cup and League Cup and will be attached to the first team squad at the start of the season.