SEVEN years ago Ben Thompson’s dream of becoming a professional rugby player was left in ruins when he broke his neck in the road accident that killed his best friend.

However, after fighting back from his injuries Mr Thompson has started his own business and is looking to give a second chance to another youngster by hiring an apprentice.

Mr Thompson and 22-year-old Jonathan Diliberto were struck by a black Renault Clio as they and five friends walked along the A338 between Frilford and East Hanney, near Wantage, in June 2008.

While hairdresser Mr Diliberto was killed at the scene, former John Mason School pupil Mr Thompson was rushed to hospital with a broken neck and foot.

Seven years on Mr Thompson has teamed up with Mike Terry to found their own recruitment agency and are taking on an apprentice to swell their ranks.

Mr Thompson, now 25, said: “We are looking for someone who really wants to do it, to build a career, build a new life, who wants that chance.

“We have had an exciting 10 months. We have moved into this new office and are looking to give this person a chance. Business is going really well.”

Before his accident Mr Thompson harboured dreams of being a professional rugby player and had trials for Aviva Premiership rugby side Saracens.

However, doctors told him he would never play again after his neck was broken.

Mr Thompson began working as a sales rep selling pay day loans before eventually rising to the position of account manager at JACKfm Oxfordshire.

There he met Mr Terry, 25, who runs his own business – Viva Totz Football Training – and the pair struck up a friendship.

The pair launched their new business Thompson and Terry Recruitment in August out of the bedrooms of their homes in Abingdon.

Now Mr Thompson and Mr Terry have moved into offices in Merchant House, East St Helen’s Street, Abingdon.

And they are looking to take on an apprentice and account executive to grow their fledgling business.

Mr Thompson said: “It’s absolutely incredible. At school I probably wasn’t the most talented at sport but I worked my socks off and got to a very good level at rugby. I used to get up at 5am to train.

“But that was taken away from me. I couldn’t remember anything. I was having memory loss. I didn’t really see a way forward.

“But this is just so rewarding and in all honesty I am proud of Mike and myself and where we have got to and want to continue growing and never give up.”

Mr Thompson met Mr Diliberto, of Gardiner Close, Abingdon, through a shared love of Oxford United and had been at a party before walking home on the night of the accident.

At Mr Diliberto’s inquest Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of accidental death. Mr Thompson said: “When your best mate dies you realise what life is all about.”