A FOOTBALLER who was forced to give up on the game has been given a second chance to make it onto the pitch – but this time as a coach.

Spencer Birsinger, who lives in East Finchley, was spotted by the West Ham scouts at just 20-years-old with the keen footballer ready to make the most of the opportunity.

But the dream came crashing down when Mr Birsinger was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and told he would no longer be able to carry on.

The 37-year-old said: “Football was my world. I’m a big Arsenal fan and Ian Wright was my hero; I was a striker like him.

“It was my dream to play professionally so I was devastated when a medical revealed I had an irregular heart. I was told the intensive training would be too much for me.”

But 17 years later and now a father of three boys with twins on the way, Mr Birsinger’s life changed again when he was awarded a grant from Viridian’s Training, Education, Employment and Emergency Fun (TEEE), which went towards the FA Level 1 and 2 Coaching Course.

The father was on benefits and in and out of work as a gardener before receiving the award.

He said: “The grant has opened up a whole new world for me. I may not be a professional footballer but I’m playing the game again and I feel like I’ve been able to achieve part of my dream.”

“I was just doing cash-in-hand work where I could get it. It was difficult – especially as bosses wouldn’t let me work flexible hours so I could take my kids to school and pick them up.

“I had looked into football coaching but the training course was too expensive. When I was told about the TEEE Fund I thought it was great but never thought I would be given the money to train for something like football.”

He said the Social Impact Team at Viridian helped him to find the FA course which he completed over four weekends.

He said: “Initially I thought it would be easy to train kids – but it’s definitely not. It takes a lot of confidence and I’ve learnt a lot.

“I’m now working with kids at some of the best schools in London as well as in the private sector. I’m even able to train my own boys; it’s fantastic because I couldn’t afford coaching for them before this. I get to spend more time with them and be a good role model.

“I’m only doing it for a few days a week at the moment but I want to complete my Level 2 training and build it up. One day I want to start my own business and start affordable football coaching for kids.

“And, you never know what might happen, one of my boys may even go on to become a professional footballer as a result.”