LIFE after a playing career in football can present as many challenges as it can opportunities.

Not many careers outside sporting circles come to an end aged in your 30s and such a shift is not always likely to go to plan.

However, some footballers see their time out on the pitch cut even shorter, making the post-playing world come rushing to the fore without any hope of slowing it down.

For Anton Robinson, he was forced to hang up his boots at the age of 28, a period often considered the prime of a career in the game.

Five years on from being released by Huddersfield following a serious knee injury, the industrious midfielder has enjoyed three years as part of Cherries’ recruitment team, surpassing the duration he had at the Dorset club as a player.

Discussing his current role, Robinson told the Daily Echo: “I retired at 28 with a bad knee injury. It was a very difficult period for me. At the moment, I am scouting for Bournemouth.

“I have been part of the recruitment team for the past three years, which I am thoroughly enjoying and I have also still been buying and selling houses with my property company. It is very different but it is also good still to be involved in football when you finish your playing career. That is the main thing – being part of a club that you love and have an association with.”

Robinson, 33, is a member of the team working under the stewardship of Richard Hughes to unearth additions for Eddie Howe’s current squad.

He added: “Trying to work with the recruitment team to find the best players for the club is important. It is very difficult, especially with the squad the gaffer has built and the levels the players are performing at. It is hard but in terms of what the gaffer and my boss Hughesy are building, hopefully, we can get the right players in the club to help the club progress.”

Asked if taking a role at Cherries was the ideal place for him following the end of his playing career, Robinson said: “Yes. For myself, personally, it has been the perfect transition.

“To work for a club that you care about, you are passionate about and to still be involved in the game is great for me on a personal level.”

In April, Robinson joined members of Cherries’ 2008-09 squad to reflect on the ‘Greatest Escape’ season at the launch of afcbtv’s Minus 17 documentary.

Alongside Liam Feeney, the Harrow-born talent was one of Howe’s first additions in January 2009.

Robinson went on to net his first goal for the club in a crucial victory at Chester in the latter stages of the campaign as he established himself in the side before securing promotion to League One the following season.

Discussing his first few months at the club, Robinson said: “The success with the season we had as a squad at the time set the foundations for the club to progress. From afar I was always a fan of what they have done recently and I feel I am very much a part of it.

“Speaking personally, it defined myself as a person. The pressure you put yourself under and the situation that it was, it sets you in a good stead dealing with further things in your life. It was a great occasion and there are only a few moments in life where you feel the euphoria and that was definitely one of them.

“The foundation was set and in terms of what the boys are doing now, retaining their Premier League status year upon year, is a fantastic achievement and every time they do it you feel part of the club’s success.”