A former professional footballer has admitted driving while nearly four times the drink-drive limit.

Rick Holden, now a physiotherapist, was stopped by police on Main Road in Sulby and failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 131.

The legal limit is 35.

Magistrates adjourned the case until February 3 to allow time for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court how 57-year-old Holden, who was at one time head of the outpatient physiotherapy department at Noble’s Hospital, was driving on October 12 at 9.10pm.

Police initially noticed an issue with his Vauxhall Astra’s headlights and subsequently stopped him just past the Ginger Hall pub.

But when they spoke to him he was said to be smelling of alcohol and slurring his words.

He was asked if he had been drinking and told police he had drunk three pints about an hour before.

After failing a roadside breathalyser test he was arrested and taken to headquarters where he blew the reading of 131.

During his football career Holden played for Manchester City, Oldham, Watford and Blackpool, before moving to the island and playing for Peel, who he later went on to manage.

Defence advocate Jim Travers asked for a longer adjournment than is usual to allow time for a medical report to also be received.

The court heard that Holden, who lives at Magher Drine, Peel, has no previous similar convictions.

Magistrates ordered that the probation report consider all sentencing options, including custody.

Bail continues in the sum of £250 with a condition to contact probation and co-operate with the preparation of the report.