An insurance firm set up by Sussex football legend Steve "Fossie" Foster has joined forces with the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA).

They will offer cover to some of the country's top players.

Hove-based Pro-Secure was founded by Steve in 1994 and is run with former England, Sussex and Surrey cricketer, Tony Pigott.

The PFA and Pro-Secure have now launched a policy designed to protect the association's 3,000 members, who range from Premiership superstars such as England and Arsenal player Ashley Cole to apprentices in the Third Division.

The policies will pay a tax-free lump sum if a career is ended by injury. Pro-Secure was set up when Steve was playing for Brighton.

He was the side's senior professional and in charge of the welfare of younger players. One of his charges, Billy Logan, had a career-ending injury. Without any insurance, the 18-year-old's payout was £1,750.

He spotted an opportunity to provide professional footballers with tailor-made insurance policies.

Steve was a professional for 23 years and made almost 700 league appearances.

He won three England caps and played in the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

He joined Portsmouth as an apprentice in 1974, and transferred to First Division Brighton in 1979 for £200,000.

He captained the side in the 1984 FA Cup final replay against Manchester United, having been suspended for the first game. That year he transferred to Aston Villa and later to Luton where he won the Littlewoods Cup.

He said: "Between 50 and 60 players are forced to retire because of injuries each year. Professional football is a high-risk occupation.

"It is essential for every player to have adequate insurance.

"Working with the PFA, we want to educate players to have their own policies so they can plan for the future should their career prematurely end."

Tony Pigott, a long-time friend of Steve's joined Pro-Secure this year to help develop the business.

Mick McGuire, deputy chief executive of the PFA, said: "Every player runs the risk of career-ending injury, which makes it imperative for every member, irrespective of status or income, to protect their futures.

"This is why we advise all players to have a Pro-Secure personal accident policy in their own name. Cover is particularly important for young players who need to insure against the loss of future career earnings."

John Goodman, previously of Wimbledon and Eire, whose career was ended by injury, said: "I was fortunate to have a Pro-Secure policy when my career was ended by an injury playing in the Premiership .

"This gave me the opportunity to finish a sports science degree and move into a new career as a fitness coach at Wimbledon."

The company provides more than £500 million of insurance cover for its 600 clients.

Tony, who is a former chief executive of Sussex County Cricket Club, said the firm was now working with the Professional Cricketers' Association to provide cover for its members.

It is aiming to expand by providing cover to members of other professional players unions across the world.