IT’S ALL WORK AND PLAY FOR ARMSON

JAMES ARMSON once hit the headlines for scoring an FA Cup hat-trick following a shift at work but, for him, it was just business as usual. He said: ‘That’s what we do in non-League every week. I got into my tracksuit in the car, had my pre-match meal out of a pasta pot and that was it. I went and played.’ Armson (right) was up at 6.30am, went to work as an education examiner and tutor, finished at 4.30pm, wolfed down his food, got changed then knocked out League One Gillingham in 2016. The Brackley midfielder is just as busy these days and still juggles football with work. Now he runs his own business called Positive Impact, working with children with behavioural problems. ‘It’s something I’m really passionate about,’ says Armson, 28, who scored a penalty in Brackley’s thrilling FA Trophy shootout win over Bromley on Sunday. It started when one youngster would not eat his lunch at school in Nuneaton. Armson was working there and the headteacher asked him to have a word. ‘I said yes and within five minutes he was sat eating his lunch. Then she said, “I’ve got another lad, I’ve got another lad . . . ”, and it went from there.’ He added: ‘Football’s not a chore. I never moan about the fact I’ve got work in the day because everyone does it.’ Professionals sent on loan to non-League clubs never cease to amaze Armson, one of Sportsmail’s Search for a Star candidates. He has heard some complain about two-hour training sessions. Armson says. ‘You’re moaning to the wrong people here mate. Him over there is a plumber and has been up since 6am, lugging boilers around all day, then dragging himself here to train.’ Armson is a throwback, a non-League footballer with a lot of talent. When asked about juggling work with football, and the temptations of sneaking a chocolate bar while on the job, he says: ‘Part-time footballer, part-time diet. That’s my philosophy. I get some stick from the lads but I do treat myself more than I should.’

Marathonbet’s #NonLeagueChallenge is a competition to find the best goal celebration in non-league football, with the winners awarded £20,000 and a friendly against a team of Legends. Go to: nlc.marathonbet.co.uk