THE former City trainee who had a cigar stubbed out in his face by bad-boy Joey Barton has been awarded £65,000 in an out-of-court compensation deal.

Blues rookie Jamie Tandy made a civil claim for damages against Barton, who assaulted the youngster at City's Christmas party in 2004.

No police action was taken at the time, but Barton was hit with a £60,000 fine by the Blues, and subsequently apologised for his actions.

Tandy, 25, who now plays for non- League Witton Albion, claimed he suffered a "major psychiatric deterioration" following the assault, which he said ultimately forced him out of the game at the top level.

He was released by City in 2005, after breaking his leg during a loan spell in Denmark.

A mediation hearing in Manchester has awarded £65,000 to Tandy - a sum significantly less than his original claim, which was understood to be £500,000.

Neither Barton, who now plays for Newcastle United, nor Tandy commented on the outcome. Although Barton didn't accept liability, he agreed to pay Tandy.

Tandy revealed in March he had battled alcoholism and depression as his career disintegrated following the cigar incident.

The former City youngster, who lives in Whitefield, said he turned to Tony Adams' Sporting Chance clinic for help to beat his demons - just as Barton did.

Tandy, who at one stage worked as a high-rise office window cleaner while playing semi-pro football, said: "When I was in rehab at Sporting Chance, part of the therapy helps you to discover where your alcohol addiction comes from.

“Alcoholism often runs in the family, but there was none of that in my background.

“And when I look back at when the drinking took over, it all stemmed back to that Christmas party.

“At the time, Barton hadn't been in trouble before. People thought it must have been my fault because he didn't have a reputation back then.

“Well, people know the truth now, don't they? He was fined sixty-grand and I kept quiet. In the end, it didn't matter, because City decided I was the one they had to get rid of.”

A spokesman for Barton said: “Joey is happy that the case has been settled to the content of both parties.

“He didn't wish for Jamie to have to go to court. And he hopes Jamie can put this behind him.

“He wishes Jamie good luck for the rest of his career.

“Joey is dealing with his issues and his working hard, and accepts his own frailties, and hopes the work Jamie is doing will have the same results.

James Reilly, an associate at Manchester-based Ralli Solicitors, who represented Tandy, said: “The parties have met and ended the case by way of mediation and all parties are bound by the terms of confidentiality.”