James Bransgrove had everything going for him. Or so many would say.

A life so many dream to achieve, yet, get discarded brutally on their quest to achieve it.

At the age of 21, he had already played in Colchester United’s first team and had recently been called up for Scotland’s under-21 European qualifying campaign.

But what so many would consider their dream was, in fact, a nightmare for him.

Determined to make a change, on a miserable, cold, wet, wintry December, he stumbled through the corridors of Florence Park, Colchester United’s training ground.

He walked past the academy office, then to the physio’s office. The manager’s door was next in line.

He recalls his heart pounding. How couldn’t it be?

He’d never been to the manager’s office, let alone confess to the “gaffer” he no longer had a love for the game.

He was fearful, but behind that door was a new life for him. A gateway for freedom. He sensed relief, he knew it was the right thing to do.

Born in Harlow, James had mulled over the decision for months.

The constant feeling of being controlled, having his food and drink intake monitored for example, was something he could no longer deal with.

He said: “I was called up to Scotland under 21s for the European qualifiers and I can honestly say I didn’t enjoy one minute of the 10-day trip.

“I was shut in a hotel every day after training. It was horrible.”

He was always 100 per cent committed, something he prided himself on, but the final straw came at an under 23s game against Bristol City.

He said: “That day I walked off the pitch and I honestly didn’t care one bit about the result or my performance.

“It was the moment I knew.”

The pressures and sacrifices of football can often be difficult to comprehend from an outside world.

The game is often painted as the perfect job.

Yet the sacrifices challenge footballers every day.

As James experienced, the demands are huge.

Many players don’t even enjoy the game, but carry on nevertheless because the financial rewards are far too great to sacrifice, at least at the top level. Even so, many still manage to end up in bankruptcy.

Perhaps they pursued something that never fulfilled them?

James’s decision was made easier by the support of his family, friends and even teammates.

They understood what it took. The indoctrinating football glamour lifestyle was far from what the goalkeeper and millions of other children grow up to believe.

However, money wasn’t his motivation. It was the freedom and consciousness and a passion for what else he could be doing.

Working in a nine to five job gives you control, it just requires effort and dedication to be successful.

In contrast, goalkeepers have little control over whether they are heroes or villains.

James admits combining an online degree in business management through the Open University while playing football was extremely taxing, but as important of a decision any footballer could make.

He said: “Studying is an escape from football. It otherwise becomes a seven days a week obsession.”

Studying gave James an outlet, a distraction, a focus that was not purely based on keeping the ball out of a 24ft by 8ft metal framework.

Now three months on from his retirement he still has no regrets about his farewell from football.

He said: “I drive past the training ground every day and I have fond memories of being there, but I have no regrets and not once have I contemplated a return.”

His journey now takes him to his financial administration job at JobServe, just a few miles down the road.

Leading a “normal” lifestyle, working in the day and studying at night, is his routine.

James still vividly remembers the day he faced his demons and confesses when he walked out of the manager’s office he couldn’t help but have a gleaming smile on his face.

He said: “It was as if a weight had been lifted of my shoulders. I couldn’t be happier, I’m loving the lifestyle.”

“I have no ambition of working in football. I play Sunday league football with my mates, but that’s about it.”

The aspiring accountant believes many should follow his footsteps and pursue their passions.

He said: “Too many kids are given no freedom to be themselves.

“They are told how to live their lives every day and don’t know what they truly want.”

FABIAN SPIESS