Former Portsmouth defender Dave Birmingham ready to embark on next chapter of his remarkable sporting journey

Birmingham, now 39, would surely have been forgiven for taking some time away from sport as a whole and allowing himself a well-deserved break after an enthralling journey.

But instead he is ready to begin writing a new chapter - this time as a boxing trainer.

The Havant-based boxer, who finished with a pro record of nine wins and six defeats from 15 fights, has been itching to find his next fix within sport since hanging up his gloves around a year ago.

Finally, that has now been found with a little help from Havant prospect Ainsley Hughes.

The 23-year-old approached Birmingham – who earned man-of-the-match honours as a wing-back in a 1-0 win at Ipswich on his full Pompey debut in March 2000 - to become his trainer as he sets out on his professional journey.

Now the former defender, who also featured for Bognor, Moneyfields, Gosport Borough, AFC Portchester and Fareham Town after leaving the pro game, has applied for his boxing training license.

'Everyone keeps saying when am I going to stop but I just keep going,' joked Birmingham.

‘I’ve just applied for it now (trainer’s licence) so I’ve got to wait for a meeting then for a two-day course but once that’s done there should be no problem receiving my licence.

‘In all fairness, since I retired (from boxing) I needed something to do.

‘I had a young lad, Ainsley Hughes, tell me he was going pro and asked me to be his trainer and guide him through it, so that’s what I’ve done.

'I’ve spoke to Miles a few times - Miles Harding, my old trainer - I always had plans of going into being a trainer.

‘Obviously, it’s just been put upon me a little quicker then I thought with Ainsley coming over and asking. He made me make the jump earlier then I was going to, but I’m looking forward to it.'

Birmingham is a character who likes to keep himself busy - and he's certainly doing that.

Along with preparation to become a trainer, he has also set up Birms Fitness and is currently in the process of becoming a qualified personal trainer - all while holding down a job as a delivery driver for Mr Central Heating's Portsmouth branch.

Birmingham is based out of GUTS Boxing and Fitness in Havant - jointly run by bare knuckle boxer Mickey Parker and Gary Burch, when open - as he gets Hughes up to speed for the pro game.

Currently, his attention will be focused solely on the Havant prospect although he will eventually look to increase his stable.

‘At the moment it’s just Ainsley, I’m concentrating on Ainsley at the moment, he’s given me my chance to go into the training world,' added Birmingham.

‘I know his brother, Owen, wants to come along and train but how far Owen wants to go I don’t know.

‘I help out with Mickey Parker, it’s nice to help him out, he’s a BKB fighter and he’s got a British title fight coming up when everything is lifted. He’s still hungry and his desire is there.

‘There’s myself, Gary and Mickey who train and push each other as far as we can.

‘First of all, you’ve got to make the right steps with the right fighters.

‘Ainsley’s my first one, people will see I’ve worked with Ainsley, and if anyone wants to come across they’re more than welcome.'

Having started life at Pompey, making three appearances for the club before being released by Blues boss Steve Claridge in 2001 after failing to recover form after a broken leg, the football connections still remain.

Dave's brother, Michael, is manager of Wessex League Premier Division side Horndean and he has been able to offer a helping hand.

He is the Deans' fitness coach and puts some of the squad through fitness sessions at GUTS gym.

But Dave conceded that's as close as he'll get to returning to the football world with boxing now his priority.

‘I went into the fitness side of things with my brother (Michael) at Horndean, I’m their fitness coach, but boxing is my passion. I love boxing.

‘I’m personal training as well, I’ve got Birms Fitness on the go, I’m just working towards that, getting all my qualifications and everything up together.

'I help out my brother so if they’ve got any players (at Horndean) who are coming back from injury or suspension then they’ll be in the gym working alongside me.

‘Jake Stubbington has been coming back from a knee injury, I’ve been working with Jack Lee who finds it hard to train on 4G pitches due to back problems. He comes in the gym and works alongside me there.

'Whatever my brother needs player-wise I come into the gym and they see me. They don’t like it too much, though.

'Football is for my brother, my brother loves football - he is Mr football.

‘I’ll leave that down to him, I’ll give him any advice he needs when he rings me ranting and raving if a game hasn’t gone his way, but I’ve got no interest in going into the coaching side of football.'