A SOUTH RUISLIP man is celebrating his dream job after graduating from a charity’s football and employment academy.

Anthony Ball, 24, now works for Hyundai UK, but it could have been different after he was made redundant from his job in January last year.

The former Uxbridge High School pupil lost his self-confidence before finding out about Street League, and he joined the charity’s North London Academy programme in April.

“As well as playing football every day, I gained different qualifications and was given support in putting together my CV, applying for jobs and preparing for interviews,” he said.

During his time at the academy, Anthony was offered the opportunity of a four-week work placement with Hyundai UK, where he impressed.

Shortly after completing the placement, he was offered a full-time role and now works within Hyundai’s technical department.

And this year he will be trained as a mechanic at the company’s UK headquarters in High Wycombe.

“My parents just have ordinary jobs and now I’m at a company where I could possibly be travelling all over the world to work,” he said. “I’m ready for everything and anything and I’m excited about the future.”

The work placement came about through a fund-raising football tournament, which Hyundai had organised in partnership with Street League at Reading Football Club’s Madejski Stadium in June.

Street League works with unemployed people aged 16-25 and runs a 10-week football and education programme. For more information go to www.streetleague.co.uk