Tuesday, 19 April 2011

NOWHERE TO SOMEWHERE...




It's amazing what a season has in store for a Professional Footballer. For me 2010/11 campaign has been quite a rollercoaster.

It started in June with me returning from my 6 week break to Brentford for Pre Season and I came back probably the fittest I've been for a few years. I knew this year was going to be a big for the club as expectations were playoffs and I wanted to hit the ground running to get myself in the team. Unfortunately by the time the first game of the season was approaching I realised I wasn't going to be making the starting Xl. After working extremely hard and being patient, 5 months had passed with Christmas arriving and I hadn't even started 1 league game. I was becoming a very frustrated reserve team player and had to do something about it, I knew I was good enough to play for Brentford and I wanted to stay but it was out of my hands. I love football too much not to be playing I had waited long enough for a chance and now it was starting to affect me off the pitch at home as well so I decided to ask to go out on loan. It was a tough decision but one I knew I had to make as I'd be out of contract come the end of the season. It's a horrible thought knowing you've only got 1 year left on your existing deal and for half of it you haven't made a single starting appearance. I started to think no one will want me next season and I have still to this day prepared myself that I'll be going on trial come the end of the year. It's not that I don't have faith in my ability but it's that the number of unemployed footballers out of contract at the end of the year would be in it's hundreds. When you have a mortgage and family to think about reality starts to set in and it's not a nice place to be, quite a contrast to a Premiership player in the same situation but with a healthy bank balance to keep them financially secure and as much as I hate saying it football is a job as well as my life! Now came an interesting time as a footballer when you ask to go out on loan you hope that there's managers out there that want you fortunately for me there were a few interested but with injuries in the Brentford team I wasn't allowed to take the first opportunity.

Finally it came. Once Christmas passed I heard of news that 2 clubs were wanting me on loan with one being Crawley Town. I spoke to the manager Steve Evans to hear what his thoughts were and knew they had one goal and that was Project Promotion. It's a hard decision at first to drop out of the League to the Conference because it's unknown territory and you don't know where it will leave you at the end of the season but once I'd spoken to the manager and family I knew it was an opportunity I should take so I signed for a months loan and knew that if it didn't work out I could go back to Brentford. It was the best decision I could of possibly made. When I think of a conference team I would never of imagined it to be run as good as Brentford, from facilities to food to travelling arrangements and especially the players and staff I was amazed the club is probably more professional than most league 2 clubs and even some league 1 clubs! As soon as you're in the door you know this is potentially a sleeping giant that is on the rise. I went from playing no games at the Bees to having 9 games in a month for the Redz. It took a few matches to settle in and my first week in the dressing room was still as nerve racking as when I joined Leyton Orient at the age of 20. I've been in many great dressing rooms but I have to say the banter and togetherness in this team is the best I've experienced.

I'm part of a car skool that commute from High Wycombe to Crawley everyday and I've got to give a shout out to them, here they are along with their Car Skool drivers ranking...

The caffine man Dannie Bulman Rank No.2




The Scottish legend Scott Shearer joint Rank No.1 with me ;0)


The always late Dean Howell Rank No.4 as he never drives...and he thinks he can dance. I caught him out in the car hahaha go on Deano Breezy...






Last but not least Miss Daisy Jamie Cook Rank No.6039


You can't beat the banter we have. There's also 'Car Skool Rules' here's a few...



• If there's flatulence released no windows are to be opened otherwise punishment is a flick of the ear from every member.

• Whoever is the driver has to take responsibility of the mess left in their car.

• If you're sat in the back you're allowed to sleep and not be woken up whereas if you're in passenger seat (wingman) eyes are on the road at all times otherwise punishment = flicks

I know what you're thinking big kids and you're right but we love it!



After my initial 1 months loan I decided to extend it until the end of the season I was back enjoying my football. I'd gone from not starting a game to playing nearly 30 with Crawley Town including appearing at Old Trafford.



We finally won the League title last week away to Tamworth and deservedly so. It's one thing to win the Championship but another to do it with 5 games spare! It's a testament to the players, staff and all involved behind the scenes at the club. The scenes after our 3-0 win were amazing and thankfully I managed to film it all. We had over 2,000 fans at the game and I'm sure everyone of them will remember the moment Crawley Town made history of joining the football league for the first time ever. Here's the view from my eyes, I must warn you that there is adult language being used in the footage which I apologise for in advance...




Here's the lads celebrating in the changing room...




Here's some pics of the celebrations after...




As you can imagine the coach journey home was full of celebrations which continued on into the night.



The following week we were presented with the Blue Square Premier Trophy straight after our 1-1 draw with Luton at the Broadfield Stadium, once again I captured an unforgetable moment in my career on video to share with you...(Warning Adult Language)




Here's some pics of the celebrations after...





So that's how my season has panned out! It's been an emotional ride of highs and lows but wouldn't it be great to end it with my 3rd Chamionship/Promotion medal, the points record, Unbeaten league record, Phillips, Savages & Rooneys shirt and only 1 defeat as a Crawley player being against Man Utd...oh and a trip to Vegas! The beautiful game...