Some footballers are forced into coaching by premature injury, some can't face a life outside of the game, but for Mark Robson it has always been his dream.

After making his break in football with Exeter City more than 20 years ago, Robson would play for Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United before a four-year spell at Charlton Athletic. But with all the different clubs one thing remained constant - a desire to coach.

Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Robson revealed that he began coaching as a teenager.

He said: "I started coaching at 18, I have a younger brother who is nine years younger than me and I helped out with his side.

"From the moment I started doing that I wanted to coach, throughout my playing career I was always coaching, no matter what club I was at I would always working at the school of excellence.

"It has always seemed like a natural progression to me that when I finished my playing career I would go into coaching full-time, I really enjoy it."

Robson has just completed the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest award available to football coaches, and was thoroughly impressed by the content.

"I think it's definitely been the best course I have taken and the enjoyment of it has made the work far easier," Robson explained.

"The fact that you have managers here who have a wealth of experience is fantastic for someone like myself who is a little bit younger.

"Learning off them is wonderful and some of the ideas I've picked up have been really beneficial to me.

"The course really does open your mind, it makes you think more about how you do things and how you could improve."

Since joining the coaching staff at Charlton Athletic seven years ago, Robson has worked in a number of different roles. Beginning in the Academy with younger players, Robson also coached the reserve team before becoming 'Development Coach' last year. Robson was made Les Reed's assistant in November, before becoming first team coach under Alan Pardew.

Despite working in a variety of roles, Robson was keen to glean as much as he could from the other people involved on the course.

"The one thing I've found on the course is that everyone has different philosphies," Robson added. "It's very open and no one is afraid of talking to eachother about their own situation.

"We met up with a few people on the course during last season, and this season we will again. Gary Johnson's here from Bristol, and we'll play them this season.

"It's good that despite the rivalry for points you make friendships and they'll always be there. The fact that you mix with some top people is fantastic."

And as for next season with Charlton?

"We're very confident we can go straight back up, we have a fantastic chance of doing it."