A former professional footballer from Grimsby who was once chased by the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City has been jailed following a spectacular fall from grace.
Jack Barlow, who was signed by Hull City for a six-figure sum at the age of just 15, has also been banned from all pubs in Cleethorpes.
A court heard he headbutted another man and hurled a glass at his face in an unprovoked assault, after turning to drink when his career was cut short at the age of just 21.
Barlow, 25, of Eskham Close, Cleethorpes, admitted wounding on September 8.
He started his career at the Grimsby Town School of Excellence and had trials at both Manchester clubs before being lured over the bridge to Hull for £100,000.
But he failed to make his mark and joined Boston United four years later.
After playing just nine minutes of competitive football for the Conference North outfit, his contract was terminated by mutual consent, paving the way for a move to Cleethorpes Town in 2014.
But it too was shortlived and his football career was cut short at the age of 21.
'Disappointed', Barlow began drinking and had been doing so all day when the violent incident that has now landed him in prison, happened.
Nadim Bashir, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that the two men began arguing in the Zero Degrees North bar in High Street, Cleethorpes, after 8.20pm.
The conversation was heated and Barlow lunged forward and headbutted the other man.
He threw a glass into his face and the victim suffered cuts to his forehead, near his eye and on his neck and ear.
He was bleeding heavily and as door staff helped him, Barlow left without showing any concern for the victim.
He had convictions for three previous assaults.
He later told the police that he knew the other man through a friend of a friend and both he and the man talked about football because they were Manchester United fans.
Kylie Peach, mitigating, said Barlow was aware that the victim did not deserve to suffer the injuries.
"He is deeply apologetic and ashamed of his actions," said Miss Peach.
"If he could go back in time and change what happened, he would do so without a second's hesitation.
"He was distressed and visibly upset that he was capable of doing something like that.
"He can recall very little of that night."
After the incident, he was the victim of some instant justice in retaliation by others - leaving him with a black eye, said Miss Peach.
Recorder Paul Reid jailed Barlow for 20 months and was banned from Cleethorpes licensed premises for two years.
