THE grandson of former footballer Bruce Rioch is laying the foundations for his own successful career after an away win.

Alex Rioch’s victory came in the workshop rather than on a football pitch, after he won the Guild of Bricklayers regional competition held at Hartlepool College.

The apprentice bricklayer at Bishop Auckland College, who works for house builder Gleeson, was presented with trophies and prizes by Hartlepool College principal Darren Hankey and the Secretary of the Northern Region of the Guild of Bricklayers Paul Brigg.

He said: “I was ecstatic, I was in it to win it and it just felt that better knowing all my hard work had paid off.

“My apprenticeship will be completed in August and I hope to become a self employed bricklayer and be known for a great final product.”

The 22-year-old moved to Durham four years ago from Luton, where his grandfather's playing career started.

Bruce, 70, of Cornwall, enjoyed a 45-year career in football which saw him captain Scotland and manage Arsenal and Middlesbrough which he led to successive promotions in the late 1980s.

Alex will represent the North-East at the competition's national final at Weybridge in June.