Beachcroft wins £4m for ex-Man U trainee

Beachcroft has secured former Manchester United hopeful Ben Collett more than £4m in ­compensation after his football career was prematurely ended by a negligent tackle during a 2003 reserve team game.

Middlesbrough player Gary Smith and his club admitted ­liability for the injury.

Manchester-based silk Richard Hartley QC of Cobden House Chambers, who represented Collett, was instructed by Beachcroft partner Jan Levinson, while the defendants Smith and Middlesbrough Football & Athletic ­Company were represented by Andrew Prynne QC of ­Henderson Chambers, through instructions from ­Hextalls partner Alex Padfield.