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Manchester City's big stars ended Luke Coulson's dream after 10 years at the club, now a bumpy road has taken him to Ebbsfleet via Michigan... but his journey isn't over

A member of Manchester City's academy between the ages of eight and 18, Luke Coulson was given a glimpse into the Premier League lifestyle.

He and his team-mates were treated like kings rather than kids. First-class facilities, five-star hotels, the finest food and trips to countless countries for tournaments — they wanted for nothing.

Yet for Coulson, City's new-found wealth from Sheikh Mansour's 2008 takeover would turn out to be a gift and a curse.

Ebbsfleet winger Luke Coulson features in Sportsmail and Marathonbet's Search for a Star
Ebbsfleet winger Luke Coulson features in Sportsmail and Marathonbet's Search for a Star
Coulson was on the books at Manchester City for 10 years before being released in 2012
Coulson was on the books at Manchester City for 10 years before being released in 2012

'It was overwhelming,' he says.