GARETH Seddon has revealed the full scale of the rare illness that cruelly cut short his professional football career.

The former Bury sharpshooter is expected to sign for Worcester City this summer after completing a full campaign with his local side Padiham of North West Counties Division Two.

There was no thought of going part-time when twice storming the goal-scoring charts at Gigg Lane.

But after being diagnosed with a condition called spondyloarthropathy -- a reactive arthritis -- during his later spell at Rushden and Diamonds, there was no other option for the heart-broken striker.

The condition inflamed different areas of his body. At Nene Park, he was sidelined for almost a year with severe pain to his back.

"I've got reactive arthritis," said the 25-year-old. "It's really rare and it's to do with my immune system -- nothing to do with my joints and muscles.

"If I had not have gone into professional football, then I would never have known about having it.

"It flares up after constantly getting knocks and bangs season after season. All of a sudden, my body can't cope with so much stress that it kinds of trips out.

"It happened twice in five years and it kept me out for a season both times. I had pain to the joint in my knee and also in my back.

"It's like having a cold. It just flares up in the body, but whereas normal people can get rid of it in a couple of weeks, it stays with me for a very long time.

"It won't affect me now or when I'm older. Doctors told me that even if I did go back playing professional football, it might never happen again. But it just seemed to happen.

"That's why I stopped playing. I've never felt anything since. But I'm really unlucky because I've so much to offer. I went through a bad time -- a really upsetting time."

City manager Andy Preece gave Burnley-born Seddon his big chance at the Shakers and the two joined forces again on Tuesday night in the 3-2 win at Stalybridge Celtic.

Seddon added: "It was good to play under the gaffer again. He's been keeping in touch with me. Obviously, he gave me my big chance, so any time I can pay him back, I will do.

"He's a great guy and it looks as though he's got a great team. I've met the lads and I enjoyed playing with them."