MATT LOWE had just been offered his dream job – then he had another opening he couldn't turn down.
The Brackley Town winger has joined League One Accrington Stanley after yet another fine season for the National League North Saints.
Former England C international Lowe says his Non-League grounding has set him up perfectly to show what he's all about at Accy.
But the 26-year-old has also been working hard to become a PE teacher. First he gained a Sports Science degree from Coventry University after being released by Cambridge United when he was 19.
He then qualified fully to teach in January and has been working at Arnold Lodge School in Leamington, teaching reception right through to sixth form. In fact, he'd just had a successful interview at a new school – but then Stanley came calling.
“I went for an interview and got offered my dream PE job that week – but once Accrington came up I had to ring them to say, ‘Thanks so much for the opportunity, because this has always been my dream',” Lowe told The NLP. “They were really understanding and said they looked forward to seeing me on the TV, kind of thing, which was really nice.
Support
“I'm just glad I've got myself in this position. When I was 19 and I got released by Cambridge I was literally like, ‘What am I going to do with my life now?'.
“I was really lucky to have the support of my friends and family around me – and especially the assistant manager at Brackley, Mark Noon, who is an unbelievable guy and has done so much for me.
“He was a lecturer at Coventry University and is someone I always go to for advice. He said, ‘Why don't you go down this route?'. I haven't looked back since then but at the back of my mind it's always been that if I get that opportunity (in football) and it's worth it, then it's a no-brainer.
“Getting offered the opportunity in League One is great.
As soon as I heard there was interest in the season from Accrington, I'd had my heart set on going there.”
Lowe doesn't buy the idea that having a fall-back career means he can take a relaxed approach to his EFL chance.
“It's like I've got nothing to lose and everything to gain – but, at the same time, I haven't worked this hard over this amount of years to ease off now,” Lowe said. “I have my own pressures I put on myself to be successful. I will still go in with the mindset to try and achieve all the individual targets I set every season – double figures for goals and so on – but most importantly helping the team be successful.
“I often think about a saying that gets thrown about sometimes if you've had a bit of disappointment: go and prove them wrong.
“I look at it as go and prove myself right. And the people who have put that confidence in me.”
That has happened at Brackley, where he finished ten games shy of 300 appearances and was a big part in their FA Trophy win in 2018, FA Cup success and promotion near-misses.
Lucky
“I've been so lucky to be part of such a fantastic group of players,” Lowe said.
“More importantly, they are fantastic people.
“We've had loads of cup success, obviously wining the FA Trophy at Wembley was amazing, year on year we've been right at the top end of the table.
“It's slightly bittersweet because the aim for me was always to try and get them promoted. I'm sure one day they will get there.
“It's been amazing – the fans, everything. It's nice to be at a club where you feel so at home and so loved.”
Lowe is a fine example of the different routes to the EFL.
Released by Cambridge, going to university and building another career while striving as a part-time footballer.
“It humbles you a lot because, actually, what you realise is right the way through the football ladder – even in Non-League – there are a hell of a lot of good players,” Lowe said.
“You've got to prove your worth to even play at Non-League level. A lot of young lads, when you come out of these pro clubs, you think you're going to walk into a Non-League club – it doesn't happen.
“Sometimes you can end up falling out of love with the game and not playing. If I was giving any advice it would be: work hard, be humble and you can reap the rewards.”
