After being released by Carlisle United, Robbie Hebson found himself in a position that many young footballers dread.

He wanted to continue playing the game that he loved but was left searching for a club – step in Workington Reds.

The 18-year-old winger was thrown a lifeline ahead of the 2013/14 season and was offered the chance to join the youth system and is now in his third season at Borough Park.

But in recent weeks, he has become a regular in the first team set-up and has been called upon during his side’s crucial run in.

Hebson played for Carlisle from under-12 up to under-16 level and was at the club at the same time as fellow winger Ben Marshall, who is now at Blackburn Rovers, and journeyman striker Francois Zoko, now at Yeovil Town.

But these days Hebson couldn’t be happier playing alongside some of his best friends in the game and is embracing his chance to shine.

He says: “Since I was a baby all I wanted to do was play football.

“When you’re that young, playing football is all you want to do.

“I was quite upset when I was released by Carlisle, but you’ve got to keep going and start again.

“I was happy to get the chance to play football and I know a lot of the lads It’s good to be playing with my friends again.

“I’m friends with Lamin Cham and I’ve got quite a few friends in the first team, but I get on with everyone.

“It’s really exciting. I want to be trying to better myself and get my spot cemented.”

Hebson has been a regular for Reds’ reserve side and was selected for the League Cup matches against Kendal, Clitheroe and Marine earlier in the season.

He made his first team league debut against Ramsbottom at the end of February and has appeared in eight league games since.

And his first goal for the club came against Rushall Olympic earlier this month which saw Reds rescue a point from a goal down.

He also provided an assist for Scott Allison’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Grantham Town.

He added: “I want to be learning from the first team and do as best as I can, but I’m enjoying it a lot.

“It’s a hard time with us pushing for promotion and every game has such value so it’s good to be playing in these games.

“They’re great lads and it’s a good standard of football. They’re all good players and it’s a great club.

“The players never put you down when you’re playing and even if you do make a mistake they tell you to keep your head up.”

Manager Derek Townsley has been short of fit midfielders in recent times with James Earl and Phil McLuckie among the names on the sidelines and has had to call on his youngsters.

Hebson’s breakthrough has also paved the way for Jamie Bethwaite and Liam Studholme to enter the first team fold.

And his most surreal Reds moment was arguably the goal he scored against them in the Cumberland Cup back in February.

Current rules allow youth players at Reds to play for another team as well and Hebson was able to spend time at Penrith this term. He played for Penrith in the early rounds of the competition, which made him ineligible to feature for Reds. Hebson scored for Penrith in a 2-1 defeat, but believes his equaliser that night made Derek Townsley notice him.

He says: “It was strange playing against all the players I’ve been playing with on the same pitch.

“It was a good goal to score and it put Penrith back on level terms.

“I didn’t know whether to celebrate, but it was good to get it in front of the first team manager. I’ve definitely shown them what I’m capable of and that I’m good enough to play for the first team.”