Former Man Utd youth product Richard Eckersley now runs a ‘zero waste’ shop in Devon after retiring aged 26
The 28-year-old spent time playing football for a whole host of clubs during his nine-year career as a professional, but he has now turned his attention to preserving the planet with his new business venture.
MANCHESTER UNITED's youth team provided a great platform for many players, including Richard Eckersley.
The 28-year-old came through the ranks at United and had a fruitful professional career, but he has now turned his back on football to set up an environmentally friendly zero-waste supermarket.
It wasn't until Eckersley's spell in the MLS that he stopped living like a frivolous footballer and became more frugal and environmentally conscious.
When discussing the different attitude of the players, he said: "They were being careful with their money- it didn't matter what clothes or shoes they wore, and that awakened me.
"In New York I just started watching lots of documentaries, reading lots of books and it just completely opened my eyes to it all, to be honest."
The former footballer loved his time as a professional and acknowledged that the sport connected people from across the world, but believes that the planet needs to be thriving otherwise nothing, including football, matters.