Like anything in life, achieving something that is bigger than you takes time and requires multiple steps. Many says it is a marathon not a sprint. I can definitely say it is the same with my quest in football. My faith has kept me going in constantly taking positive actions towards the goal I have set for myself.
Between January to May 2022, even though I had signed with a lower division team, I would still join a session with a 4th division team to get some extra trainings under my belt. Thankfully, the manager received me with open hands since he said that I did not break the flow and quality of the sessions. In other words, I can keep up, compete and performed well against the other players. To me this was a massive improvement towards something bigger, considering how far I had come. I kept doing this until the end of the season with the aim that I would sign with this 4th division team for the upcoming season.
Networking is key
Whilst having a brilliant pre pre-season trainings with a group of players in the summer of 2022, I began to network with players and coaches around the area. I would sent messages to these people to see if they are seeking any extra player. To be fair, pre-season is the best time to get into teams. Normally they would welcome as many players as they can get to see if there is any potential of talented players.
July 2022 came around and this was the time where teams are starting their pre-season, including the 4th division team that I had trained with. I came to their first pre-season training. Without surprise, I was amongst the fittest players on the team, thanks to the work I had done before. I solely focused to make this team. I would always asked for feedback from the gaffer at the end of the session. Since they only have one session a week, I would dedicate extra days during the week for some extras.
At one point during this month, I had received a message from someone that I did not know. It turned out to be a 5th division team’s manager that got my number through another manager that I had played for the season before (Canton Liberal, 4th division). Football is a funny game sometimes, it is a small world and it would go around quite quickly. Later, I found out that these two teams have a good relationship, which kind of made sense. I appreciated their interest and said that I would come for a session to see what is happening. At this point, I had still prioritise the 4th division team that I had trained with the previous season.
Making decision
However, there was a problem. It was 3 weeks before the league started and I still did not receive any sign if I would join them. I decided to wait for another week and see what is up. The time came, I walked up to the manager and asked what is his plan for the season. Frankly, he said that I am a good player and can see me play for his team, plus he liked my attitude too. Unfortunately, there was already a senior that plays in my position. He prefers someone who has more experience to play in this league. However, he would wanted me to stick around and play for the reserve regardless, in case he needed me for the first team. Tough luck but I politely declined his offer to see other options. I thanked him for the opportunity he gave and moved on.
Now thankfully I have got this 5th division team in line as a plan B. The week after, I went there and all I had in my mind was to play my game and if they liked what they see, they will sign me. I was clearly one of the better players in the team and I thought I would make this team easily. At the end of the session, the gaffer said that I did well and they liked what they see and I had gained a good amount of respect from their older players too which I thought was a good sign.
Since the league was starting soon and the manager liked me, I decided to sign with the team. He even said that he can see me as a first choice at full-back, which is what I exactly want. That being said, I made sure that I worked even harder and made sure my trainings remained consistent. As I believed I am here for the long run and something bigger.
First half of the season
My very first game for the club was in a cup game. Unfortunately, we lost 0-2 to the opposing team. I played 90 minutes as a right back and I thought I did well considering the goals did not come from my side and I bumped forward many times to provide some attacking options. Another fact that I rated about this team was that they trained twice a week which is more than most teams for this level.
8 games in and we still did not get the results we wanted. I kept getting consistent 90 minutes even though there were times where they need to subbed me off due to tactical reasons. Until at one point, they started to put me in the reserve team without any valid reason. Obviously, I was disappointed but the decision has been made. In reality, it was a tough situation to be in but I tried to remain positive. I would asked feedback to the team’s manager but I would still not getting the answer I wanted. They were giving vague answers.
I cannot lie that my attitude became worse. There has been a time where I decided not to play for the reserve since the difference of the level is shocking. However, I tried to remind myself that I am constantly learning and developing. Do not get me wrong, they would still put me in the first team for a couple of games. But, it was not enough for me. The key for me is to keep grafting outside the team environment. Keeping my extra trainings consistent as I realised this was only part of the process of something bigger.
Well that has been a decent half of the season, we will see what is going to happen next! Let me know in the comment section if you have ever experienced similar situations be it in football or other parts of your life. Keep moving forward!
