HIS mates probably thought he was living the dream but nothing could have been further from the truth.

For goalkeeper Jordan Seabright, life as a professional footballer was starting to become a living nightmare.

A lifelong Cherries supporter, he first joined the Dorset club as a nine-year-old and was released – twice.

Shown the door at 14, Seabright returned to Dean Court as a 17-year-old in August 2011 following stops at Yeovil Town, Millfield School, Brockenhurst College and Poole Town.

However, question marks over his height – he now stands 6ft 3ins – saw him freed by Paul Groves the following May before he signed for Dagenham & Redbridge.

He won the man-of-the-match plaudits on his Daggers debut in an FA Cup first-round tie against Cherries in November 2012 but made just 10 further appearances for the club.

And after playing six times for Conference outfit Torquay this season, Seabright decided to turn his back on the game – to become an apprentice car salesman in Poole.

The 20-year-old, who had four months to run on his contract with the Gulls, told the Daily Echo: “I had lost my enthusiasm for the game and had stopped enjoying it. There was no security and, every year, I was left wondering what the future would hold if I were to be released.

“I forced my way into the team at Torquay and played six games on the spin. I played in front of more than 8,000 at Bristol Rovers on New Year’s Day and my mum and dad were there to watch me, as they had been when I made my debut for Dagenham.

“But getting a run in the side was probably just papering over the cracks. I got dropped after letting in a goal which there were question marks over and knew I needed to make my decision and quit. For every high in football, there are 10 lows.

“I lost the buzz. I’ve got aspirations to buy a house and live in Poole and I couldn’t see that happening if I had stayed in football. Don’t get me wrong, when I was growing up, I really wanted to be a footballer. I was at AFC Bournemouth with lads who were on good money and dreamt of playing for the first team.

“But reality hit home when I dropped down and I couldn’t see myself making a good living from the game. I ended up scraping around for another 12-month contract and I would like to think I am more ambitious than that.”

Seabright, who will spend between 18 months and two years learning the ropes at a dealership in Poole, earned £300 a week at Torquay, his biggest wage in the game.

He lives with fiancée Chelcie Hunt in Oakdale and is expected to hold talks with Southern League Poole Town regarding the possibility of joining them as cover for Nick Hutchings.

Asked about the prospect of returning to the pro ranks, he replied: “Probably not, but I wouldn’t rule it out. I am open to the idea of playing part-time to see if I can get the buzz back but I will be working every other Saturday and my new job will come first.

“When I rejoined AFC Bournemouth, I had to cut short a course at Brockenhurst College. I had wanted to carry on but it wasn’t feasible. I don’t regret becoming a footballer but wish I had done more in education to prepare for life outside of the game.

“I want to work my way up and will put in the hours to be successful and achieve something in my life.

“I had dealt with the company, I drive one of their cars and it is a very professional environment. I am really looking forward to the new challenge.”