Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell tells how he’s using difficult times in his past to help others deal with their problems

Football manager Ryan Maxwell is drawing on some dark experiences to help others after launching a mentoring consultancy.

Maxwell, born in Belfast and growing up in east London, has seen plenty in his life, much of it while running his own security firm.

At its most extreme, he was attacked with a substance that threatened to leave him blind in one eye before being run over, suffering a triple leg break and a fractured skull.

Amazingly, he made a full recovery and even played football again.

On a separate occasion, he was struck on the back and faced the prospect of paralysis, having been left with no feeling in his body other than his mouth. Again, he recovered.

So when Maxwell, 42, says tough times don’t last, the Welling United boss is a man worth listening to.

He’s using the lessons he’s learned in life, and football, having blown his chance at Chelsea when he was released aged 15, to help people.

It’s become a calling for the Northern Irishman, whose consultancy is called Maximise Yourself.

“I realise how important it is to give something back,” says Maxwell. “If you can help, then you should, and I feel as if I’ve got a lot to give from my experiences.

“If I can help someone come out of their difficult moments, then I see that as part of the journey I have to go through.

“Tough times don’t last - there’s always a way - but they can drag on if you don’t get on top of them.

“You just need a bit of help sometimes.”

Maxwell has been helping individuals with their problems as a mentor for about 10 years.

He’s assisted multiple people and feels it’s time to reach out to others after launching his new service.

Nothing is off limits - Maxwell believes he can help.

“I’ve been through an awful lot of difficult times and