An inquest into the suicide death of a former Tottenham youth star earlier this year was preceded by the criticism.

When 26-year-old Josh Lyons signed a youth team contract with his childhood heroes, many predicted he would become a star.

However, the striker’s failure to secure a professional contract led to his release from the north London club at the age of 16.

The inquest heard that although he played for Crawley Town and Fulham in the future, he lacked the “same enthusiasm” for the game.

Josh was struck by a train and discovered on a railway line close to Ifield, West Sussex, on March 8.

Saying he was going for a jog, he took his own life.

According to his family, he battled depression for many years after the Spurs rejected him.

When he disclosed to his general practitioner in 2008 that he had been considering suicide, he was given the referral to a counsellor.

Despite the objections of his family, he underwent four years of therapy and was mainly medicated.

Assistant Deputy Coroner for West Sussex, Dr Karen Henderson, stated: “It was that crucial moment that crushed a young man’s life and all the dreams that go along with it.

“The events that culminated on the train tracks were largely caused by that one moment, in my opinion.

“It is quite challenging to raise a young man’s expectations only to have them shattered at