By Katherine Williams

Former Charlton midfielder Bradley Pritchard has admitted how studying for his legal career has helped him cope with the highs and lows of the beautiful game.

Pritchard, who last season played for League Two side Leyton Orient, is currently in the first year of a part-time Legal Practice Course at BPP University Law School's Holborn site in London.

And, despite the demands of juggling two incredibly important factors in his life, Pritchard does insist that his studies have given him a certain kind of perspective.

"It can be very challenging because football is a profession that doesn't allow for a great deal of future planning," said the 30-year-old from Beckenham who is now a free agent.

"My preparation for classes is a great contrast to the weekly work pressure of playing in front of thousands of people every weekend.

"Football is an absorbing world to be a part of. Every win can be euphoric, while every loss is disastrous. And it's so important to be able to cope with these emotions in a balanced way.

"For me, studying law gives me that perspective. Whatever happens after the final whistle is irrelevant when I go to my next class or revise for an exam.

"I enjoy the change in approach because it helps to refocus my mind and consider things much clearer," said the former Stevenage Borough loanee.

Taking on further study is a challenge for anyone regardless of profession, age or abilities.

But it's one which Zimbabwean-born Pritchard would recommend, especially to his fellow professionals if they see their futures heading away from football.

"You need to find what you enjoy outside of the game," the former Addicks man said.

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"If you have an interest in law, then I definitely think you should go for it. However, studying isn’t the only way to create a future career, and the investment - financially and time-wise - should always be considered before making the commitment.

"I decided to study law because I wanted make a difference to current human issues when I finished football. It originally was something I was quite intimidated to do. I didn’t think it was for me, but I am glad I took the risk."

And with football being such a pressured and absorbing atmosphere, does Pritchard think there is a worry for players to make the transition away from football once their careers end?

"I don't think there's a fear as such," he admitted.

"As players, we know how lucky we are to be playing, but also how precarious football can be. You learn to deal with uncertainty.

"That being said, I think this issue is something each player confronts at some point in their career. Usually it is towards the end of a player’s career, but with players finishing naturally at different ages, it can vary."

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