AFTER two operations failed to cure a constant burning sensation in both knees brought about by plica syndrome, goalkeeper Ollie Richardson, then aged 18, was forced to give up on his dream.

Born and raised in Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, with Blundell Park's floodlights within viewing distance of his living room, all Richardson wanted to do was play for Grimsby Town.

A rising star in the club's School of Excellence, Richardson was called up for England Schoolboys trials aged 15, and was part of an Under-16 team that went an entire season unbeaten.

He played in the FA Youth Cup, made his Reserve debut and travelled with the Mariners' first team as a 16 year old.

Then disaster struck. Operations in successive years failed to cure pain in his knees, and Richardson was unable to play a single minute in his final year. His lifelong ambition of becoming a professional footballer was in tatters.

But having been taught by coaches such as former Mariners Gary Childs and Neil Woods, who would later manage the club's youth and senior teams, Richardson began a new journey – coaching.

Now aged 24, and settled in the US having relocated to pursue a coaching career, Richardson works full-time teaching boys and girls aged between seven and 18 – training more than 100 young goalkeepers.

He is director of goalkeeping at Blackhawks Soccer Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

"My job is a dream come true," he added, "but without the experience and education Grimsby Town gave me, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Richardson's Mariners career began when he was 12. Singled out by then club youth scout Adrian Parish who saw him playing for Lindsey School, he was offered a four-year School of Excellence contract.

"I had two brilliant seasons at Under-13 and Under-14 level and my playing career took off," said Richardson.

"That was down to Kevin Smith, a volunteer coach. His passion and dedication for youth football gave me the coaching I needed: he became one of my biggest inspirations. At Under-15 level, coaches Ian Knight and Neil Woods offered me a three-year extension on my contract, taking me up to the age of 19."

A month later, Richardson's talents attracted national attention when he was invited for trials with England Schoolboys in Lilleshall – but, in an unfortunate sign of things to come, his hopes were dashed by injury.

"I was there for four nights and the trials went well, but I broke my arm in training three days before the second trial and was never asked to return after that."

Despite that setback, Richardson's progress with the Mariners reached a new height – until problems with his knees began to surface.

"My Under-16 season was a huge success," he said. "Our team went the whole season undefeated under Ray Gooch and Gary Childs, two great coaches.

"I began my youth contract at the age of 16, played in the FA Youth Cup and senior Reserves. I also travelled with the first-team.

"I started to get pain in both my knees and during my second Youth year, I literally couldn't walk because of a burning sensation.

"I had operations on both knees when I was 17, but they failed.

"I missed 90 per cent of the season, and my third year only got worse. Again, I had operations on both knees; again, they failed. I couldn't play a single minute of football."

Devastated by this, Richardson had to do some soul-searching to decide where to go from here.

"I had to accept I wasn't going to be able to be a professional footballer, and by the time my contract ended I knew that coaching was the next best thing to playing.

"But I got my FA Level 2 coaching certification while at Grimsby, as part of the youth programme.

"I tried to get a coaching job in Australia and was unsuccessful, so then I sent out my resume to everyone I could find on the internet in America that was involved in youth football.

"Eventually, Pete Leebrook, the assistant director at English Soccer, replied and invited me to work for six weeks in Scottsdale, Arizona. After two weeks, I was offered a full-time job.

"Fortunately for me, I really landed on my feet, and last summer I was offered the position with the Blackhawks.

"I love working day-in day-out with goalkeepers on a full-time basis.

"Straight away, I knew I wanted to make a career out of being a coach – it's my dream job."