By Andrew Warshaw
November 12 – Former Everton and Wolves footballer Michael Branch, who was once also on loan to Manchester City, has been sentenced to seven years in jail after pleading guilty to drugs offences.
Branch (pictured top), 34, admitted charges of possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs at a court in Chester.
Matt Burton, from the United Kingdom’s Serious Organised Crime Agency, said: “This was significant criminality committed by someone who would once have been viewed as a role model.
“The message here is that entering the illegal drugs trade is a route to prison, not to financial gain and a celebrity lifestyle.”
Branch was once considered one of the Premier League’s brightest prospects.
He played in Everton’s first team when he was just 18 but his career never developed as expected – slowly tumbling down through the leagues with a succession of clubs.
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