A top goalkeeper is preparing for life when his playing days are over... by taking a newspaper journalism course.

David Preece, the first choice shot-stopper for Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen FC, hopes to become a journalist when he eventually hangs up his goalie gloves.

The 26-year-old is studying a distance learning foundation course in newspaper journalism for a National Council for the Training of Journalists qualification that should take six months to complete.

He might then go on to study media law, shorthand, sub-editing and government, again backed by the NCTJ.

David, now club vice-captain, said: "My football is not going to last forever. It's very unpredictable. More players are out of work than ever before. That's just the way it is these days.

"I could get injured and it might end tomorrow. Although I'm by no means at the end of my career I want to make sure I've got something behind me.

"Whenever I've got a spare minute I just get on with some work. I've just started with the basics and then I'll do law and shorthand. It's all new to me so I'm really enjoying it.

"Too many footballers leave school with no qualifications and have their heads in the clouds.

"They have a big dream and only focus on that - not thinking about when it all ends."

David signed for Aberdeen in July 1999, joining from Sunderland. He went on to play four first team games in his first season and seven in his second. Last year he had 18 starts in what has so far been an injury-ravaged time at the club.

He hasn't told any of his team-mates about his sideline in journalism.

David said: "None of them really know - until now. Some players clash with journalists but I've had no problems so far."

He would eventually like to write for magazines, with sports journalism an obvious option.

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