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Straight back in after 2 years out…Surely things would be more simple now?

It’s been a long time since I’ve written anything, and to be very honest, a very long time since I’ve even wanted to. My reasons have varied, from not wanting anything to do with the game, to being so tired I couldn’t even keep my eyes open. A lot happened during the time I was […]

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When ‘ball is life’ – what replaces that when you stop?

So, after all those years of football, that was it. No more changing room banter. No more politics. No getting back from training or a mid-week match after midnight, not eating correctly, then casually getting up for my job early the next day. No more tweeting #MatchDay or taunting one of the players I’d know […]

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13 Years & Out – It’s time.

I haven’t written anything in a while, so this, in a way, is a perfect time to do so. It’s been a good run. Full of good times, good matches and meeting good people – also at times, it’s also been tainted with a few lows though in the long run, most of the situations […]

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Sunday League over Non-League – What has happened?

I have consistently played non-league football for 13, almost 14 years straight now. During that time, I haven’t even spent half as much playing Sunday league – for various reasons. But why now is playing Sunday league becoming such a big thing for so many semi-professional players? For me, and many others, the answer is […]

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From Toxic Teammates to Crazy Coaches – Non-League has it all…

Getting the right formula of players and coaches is probably one of the hardest things to do in non-league. If a team manages to get this right, I believe this will always lead to bigger and better things. From winning silverware, players moving up the step ladder and even coaches gaining stronger roles – if […]

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5 Clubs in 1 Season? – Only in Non-League

I am 29 years old, and I still cannot ‘officially’ say I have stayed at one club for a full season. Is this something to be proud of? No, not at all. However, in the same breath, if you asked me if I regret all the transfers I have made, I’d also simply answer, no, not at […]

Injuries – Is it all really worth it?

Sadly, falling victim to an injury at some point in your non-league career is inevitable. Some obviously more serious than others, and a lot of the time, pretty unavoidable. You hear a lot of talk about players being on ‘contracts’ flying about in the non-league circle, though unless it’s the higher levels, contracts aren’t given […]

Part 2 – No Hard Feelings In Non-League

When you’re signing for a new team and a new manager, lets be honest, you don’t have any idea what you are really getting yourself into. Some managers are very honest, though others are always going to say the right things and do their very best to make the club sound amazing. From past experiences, […]

My First Non-League Club

Croydon FC – This was the first ‘semi-professional’ club that I had been involved with. I had just turned 17, I was excited though shit scared at the same time. We have to remember that at this point I didn’t know how it all worked – I didn’t know about the players that would be […]

Match Night, The Non League Way

I’m sure something even Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane would agree on is that a Match Day (or night) can give you one of the most unsurpassable feelings you can get as a footballer, no matter the level. One thing bar the minority of massive time players every club seems to have is that everyone […]