The 28-year-old former Colchester United trainee combines playing with a teaching job in Barking.

But that has not stopped Rainford helping the Daggers pull away from the League Two relegation zone.

He told BBC Essex: "I've got the perfect balance in my life and am really enjoying it."

Rainford began his career in the youth set-up with Colchester but found it hard to break into the first team, drifting into non-league football with Slough, Grays and Bishops Stortford.

The midfielder joined Dagenham in 2006, but despite the Daggers being a full-time outfit, Rainford elected to stay part-time and continue his teaching career.

The combination my life has got is fantastic, if not eventful and hard work. David Rainford

He told BBC Essex: "When I'm at Dagenham & Redbridge I'm David Rainford the footballer, and when I'm in the staff room I'm David Rainford the teacher.

"There's a bit of banter and the kids are the worst, they're quite sharp and if you give them a chance to take the mickey then they will."

Rainford has scored seven goals so far this season and has been a major part of the Daggers dragging themselves away from danger.

He said: "It's nice at the moment because a lot of the publicity I'm getting is about my football, and the combination my life has got is fantastic, if not eventful and hard work."