Hitting the bar has a new meaning as former Rams star takes on pub

COMPLETE CAREER CHANGE AS INJURY FORCES EX-PLAYER TO CHANGE ROLES FOR SECOND TIME

- By OSCAR FISHER

Robbie and best friend Rachel Newton

A FORMER Derby County player who rose through the ranks nearly four decades ago has moved into management - but not the kind you'd epect.

Ex-Ram Robbie Briscoe and best mate Rachel Newton have made an out-of-the-blue decision to become managers at a Derby pub - and the decision stems from an injury picked up during Robbie's career.

The Chaddesden-born footballer signed as a pro in 1987 on his 18th birthday, spending five years at the Baseball Ground before leaving in 1992 due to injury.

But during that time, in 1991, he sustained a shoulder injury while playing against Liverpool's reserves at Anfield.

His career ended prematurely due to injury and Robbie worked anumber of jobs over the following decades, including roles in the aerospace industry and a job as a plumber, with the latter spanning from 2004 until just last month.