RICHARD ECKERSLEY has swapped Old Trafford for a zero waste shop in Devon.
The former defender played alongside Wayne Rooney in an FA Cup tie in 2009 before retiring from football before turning 30.
His appearance in the 4-0 win at Fulham was one of four times he played for the Red Devils.
A vegan and budding guitarist, Eckersley also spoke of his fondness for country walks during his playing days.
Since retiring aged 27 in 2016, though, he has been running a zero waste shop in Totnes called Earth. Food. Love.
The supermarket, which Eckersley runs with his wife Nicola, has a unique “no packaging” policy.
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As part of the store’s motto, they aim to provide customers with “ethical, wholesome and organic” goods.
On his new career, Eckersley told the BBC in 2017: “I’m sweeping floors, I’m mopping, I’m doing all these other things that generally footballers wouldn’t do, and I’m working in there all the time.
“Football’s incredible in the sense that it connects people all over the world – there’s so many fans out there that are so passionate about football.
“But if we don’t have a planet to live on, and it’s not thriving and it’s not healthy, then football doesn’t matter, it doesn’t make a difference any more.”
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Eckersley left United at the end of the 2008/09 season, which had seen the club win both the League Cup and the Premier League.
He went on to play for Burnley, Toronto, New York Red Bulls and Oldham along with a string of Football League loan spells.
Still only 34, he continues to run Earth. Food. Love. in the town of Totnes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
