Like most boys, Leon Legge dreamed of becoming a footballer.

But at 16, he feared his career was over before if had even started when he was diagnosed with epilepsy.

The 27-year-old, who has just signed for Gillingham FC, is the only player in the Football League known to be affected by epilepsy - a neurological condition that affects around 450,000 people in the UK.

Leon was diagnosed 11 years ago while playing for Little Common in the Sussex County League. He suffered his first seizure during training.

He said: "I remember heading the ball in the air and, as I came down, I collapsed. I woke up with paramedics around me and I didn’t know what had happened."

He added: "It was a worry that I wouldn't be able to play football. It was all I had ever wanted to do since I was about seven years old."

Leon, an ambassador for the Young Epilepsy charity, takes medication to control the condition, but said it does not affect his game.

He added: "I have to eat healthily and take my medication on time. I don't think about it before a match. You can't go on to the pitch with doubts."

Full story in tomorrow's Medway Messenger.