QPR defender and former England star Rio Ferdinand said he owes his drive for success to his tough childhood growing up on a Peckham estate.

Wandsworth Times:

The 36-year-old, who began his professional career at West Ham United in 1996 and went on to play for his county 81 times, paid a visit to Tooting’s Francis Barber Referral Unit on behalf of the Dallaglio Foundation, to take part in a coaching session with youngsters.

Ferdinand said he saw a lot of himself in the young athletes he met, and said it was vital to inspire the next generation of young athletes to drive for success.

He said: "That’s why I like doing things like this in these communities because it’s the type of background I’m from, it’s what I understand and it’s what I know.

"Giving the kids that inspiration and the belief that you can actually do something positive when you put your mind to it is so important."

Ferdinand, who made more than 300 appearances for Manchester United, added that there needed to be a huge amount of investment in facilities and grass level sports in order to make the most of the UK’s emerging talent.

The foundation, set up by former-England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio and organised by BT Sport, uses sport to help young people tackle adversity and counts Ferdinand, Robin van Persie and cricketer Graeme Swann among the athletes backing the campaign.