By Scott Davies
So, it's that time of the season where things can all change for a club or an individual – all thanks to the January transfer pantomime.
I, for one, am not a fan of the window itself, but for those players who get a move within the period – like Aldershot's Bristol Rovers-bound front man Bernard Mensah (pictured) this week – I'm sure they are delighted.
I've only ever been part of a loan deal in January, rather than moving anywhere on a permanent contract. If I remember correctly, the loan window opened up one week after the transfer window shut. I never had any idea where I was going until the day because the clubs were always waiting to see how the moves went for their permanent targets.
It's quite staggering to see how many panic buys are made over the next few weeks. If these players are held in such high regard now, why weren't they snapped up in the summer?
Fooled
Then you've got those players that ‘nick a move', after having a good six months which they then struggle to replicate. As footballers we have our laughs and jokes in the changing room, and one comment that can always be heard is, ‘I just need that one move and then I'm chilling'. I'm sure every footballer would agree with me when I say I've heard this hundreds of times.
What do I mean by it? It's pretty simple really. A good six months can catch the eye of a manager at a big club in the upper echelons who throw a pretty few quid at their players.
Everyone has a dream to be a part of that. Earn more money, playing with better players at nicer stadiums and with a new contract in the pocket to ensure they regain their status as a pro footballer for longer.
I've been there before when I signed a two-year deal, and started to rest on my laurels. It wasn't good for me as I played better when under pressure and needed to perform.
As a player, that commitment shown by the club can sometimes be a negative. Depending on your mindset of course, but, I will never understand why five-year contracts are given out as so much can change in such time.
Players will always try and force a move, but not as much as agents. Players will always get paid, but agents won't. I'm very fortunate that in my time I only ever worked under two agencies, but they were worlds apart. The first for me was a big learning curve.
I was approached by a suave-looking man in a suit after playing for Ireland Under 17s versus England at Walsall, telling me that he had been impressed with my game and that he wanted to sign me up for his agency. I was flattered, and signed on the dotted line a few weeks later.
Now, if he had come to watch me three months after signing then I wouldn't have recognised him. I never heard from him, I never saw him and completely regretted my decision. I was fooled into signing and they were sat waiting patiently hoping that pay day would arrive.
Luckily for me I managed to get out of that contract and signed with a different company, who treated me much better and had my interest at heart. However, agents would call me from random numbers saying that such and such were interested in me and that he could seal the deal if I wanted it done, even though it was illegal to approach somebody else's player. But they couldn't have cared less as it happens all the time.
I would love to know how many calls the young talents in the Conference National, North and South have received in the last month or two. Maybe we could hear some of your stories on Twitter?
And finally, the player that's trying to get himself a move. A player that's forgotten how he got to where he is today because of not only his own ability but the help of team mates too. Players can decide to try and take the weight of the world on their shoulders to try and catch an eye of a scout.
My situation is quite different now as I'm not wanting to go back full-time, so for me I'm happy playing for Chelmsford City. It's a horrible time for those players who are wanting to get that professional status again, as they try too hard which can cause that vicious circle that can come back around to haunt them.
Impress
Trying to impress and overdoing things can make you much less of a player, and at a time like this you can sometimes see the likes of these players now getting dropped as the manager has clocked onto their intentions of trying to be a one man band. It doesn't work.
Whilst on the subject of January transfers, I just want to mention what a fantastic move Dayle Grubb has made going to Forest Green Rovers. Grubb being one of the players I picked out earlier on in the season with potential to move on in the game. Maybe agency work could be the next string to my bow!
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper, which is available every Sunday and Monday
