From the Kop to the Cod Army

We’ve now reached the point of the year when hundreds of out of contract players are searching around for clubs to play with next season and it’s tough out there especially in the lower leagues.

Some of these lads will be nearing the end of their careers and looking to extend them a little more before trying to work out what to do next. Others will be journeymen professionals who have a decent amount of ability and tend to bounce from club to club every season or two keeping their families fed and clothed. It’s not as glamorous as you might think being a professional footballer.

But it’s tougher for the kids who are rejected and find themselves kicked out of a club and suddenly realize they need to develop a new career in their teens having been convinced that their futures lie on the football field.

I met one such lad, George Donnelly, after he had scored the winner for Stockport against Oxford earlier this season. As much as the Oxford fans could have throttled him that day, many admitted he was a talent and were gracious enough to praise him. Like most real fans they were prepared to give credit where it was due.

George had been brought up at Liverpool and – as many kids are – had his ego massaged and was pumped up with self-belief … until he was dumped at only 18 years of age. Not a criticism of the Anfield club, it’s just the way of the world throughout the professional game.

He told me how he had ended up “emptying wagons at a warehouse” and spent his spare time lying on the couch rather than kicking a ball having given up hope. Fortunately his dad wasn’t about to give up on him or let him give up on himself. He persuaded George to join local side Skelmersdale where the kid scored 36 goals in 45 games and was then spotted and signed by Plymouth in March 2009.

At the start of the new season, George moved to Luton on loan and made four substitute appearances before a further loan move saw him see out the season and the first six months of the following season at Stockport.

Having scored eight goals in 23 appearances for Stockport, Plymouth then sold George to Blue Square Premier side Fleetwood Town where he has added another four goals in 13 starts.

Now Fleetwood aren’t quite what George had in mind when he was at Anfield, but they are a decent side who pushed unsuccessfully for promotion to League Two this season. I also saw them give Walsall a run for their money where they were unlucky to go out after an FA Cup replay.

George is still only 23 and so who knows how far he can still go if he knuckles down. He’s already showing he’s prepared to graft to re-ignite his career and I know he’s thankful that he has a dad who kicked him off the couch!

Not every young lad released by a professional club will be as lucky this summer, but I sincerely hope to be able to recount similar tales next term.