Brighton and Hove Albion captain Charlie Oatway has spoken of the humiliation he

suffered growing up without being able to read or write.

The midfield star, 32, is learning basic literacy skills through a scheme launched nationally in London by Sir Trevor Brooking of the Football Association.

Charlie said: "I'd never want anyone to go through life like me - I couldn't even fill out a card to read 'Best wishes, Charlie Oatway' until recently.

"I got to a stage when my kids were asking me to do things like helping them with their homework and I would just have to send them to their mum."

Albion is one of ten clubs which has signed up to a Government initiative, Heading For Success, launched at FA headquarters on Thursday.

Using a study centre at the club, people can improve their maths by researching transfer fees or brush up literacy skills by writing match reports.

Charlie, currently injured with a broken ankle, began working on a pilot version of the scheme 18 months ago.

He said: "I want to be able to do basic, easy things like read a letter or write an email but it's going to take time. I have to keep battling away and that's the message I want to give to people - don't accept it, try to do something about it.

"Illiteracy affects people in all walks of life. It's a matter of how you deal with it. Once you're enrolled in a place like this, you feel so much better. It's an opportunity people should take."

Government figures estimate 5.2 million people in England aged between 16 and 55 have literacy standards below the GCSE level Charlie is trying to achieve.

A staggering 14.9 million have numeracy skills below a GCSE pass.

Charlie grew up in White City, west London, and attended two schools before teachers said it became obvious he couldn't cope.

He said: "I was barely ever at school from 13 onwards because there wasn't really anywhere for me, I was sent to projects where we'd just play table tennis.

"I used to find it hard to talk about until recently. Now I'm getting the education, I feel more comfortable about it. It's not a problem because I'm trying to deal with it.

"It can be a bit embarrassing and you can get a bit of stick from the players but it's up to me to keep my temper and do the right thing.

"There are a lot of people in this world with much bigger problems than mine. I'd like to think it's never affected my performance on the pitch."

Heading For Success is funded by the Government's Learning and Skills Council.

Launching the scheme alongside ministers Phil Pope and Richard Caborn, Trevor Brooking said: "Fans have a great loyalty to their club and it is great to see some top clubs like the Seagulls using this to help improve the literacy and numeracy skills in their local community."

Details about the courses on offer at the Albion are available on 0800 100900.