Liam Daly has set his sights on seeing out the rest of his playing days with Solihull Moors after being transfer listed.
Daly, pictured, told The Non-League Paper on Sunday that the uncertainty around his contract situation at Damson Park had left him feeling frustrated and confused.
Centre-back Daly, 32, played a key part in Moors' promotion push last season when they were pipped by Leyton Orient for the title and then AFC Fylde in the play-off semi-finals.
But Daly's future appeared to lie elsewhere in September when he was made available for transfer by boss Tim Flowers following a sticky start to the season that saw Moors take just one point from a possible 21.
Since then, however, things have quickly changed again with Daly having won back his place in the starting line-up and steering Moors back into the play-off positions having toppled fellow high-fliers Bromley and in-form Barrow in the FA Cup.
Daly admits it ended a harrowing spell in his career. “It was no hidden fact that Tim Flowers was trying to bring in a centre-half over the summer and I was aware of that,” he told The NLP.
“I always had one eye on things and then we signed Callum Howe from Harrogate. I got left out against Notts County and I got called in to speak to the manager and I told him I thought I should be playing.
Phone calls
“I haven't got long left on my deal, so I needed to know where I stood. I'm not being big-headed or anything, but I've never been in a situation where I've been on the bench before.
“Before you know it, I was in a car going to meet another club and when I got there, there was a misunderstanding where they only wanted me on loan until the end of the season,” he recalls.
“There's no point in me moving on loan because at my age, I need to know I'm sorted for next season so when Solihull Moors say you can go, I'm not interested in leaving on loan, I wanted something sorted permanently.
“The Thursday before the Barrow game, I was getting phone calls asking what kind of sum I would need to pay me up. But I don't think a figure was ever sent over because come the Sunday, I was having phone calls saying I was needed back in the team.
“I ended up having two weekends out of the team and then I had a phone call saying they wanted to put me back in.”
Now, back as a regular in the team after a rollercoaster few weeks, Daly insists he would have no qualms about playing out his career at the club.
Long-term
“I want to stay at Solihull Moors,” Daly continues. “I was born here. If I had my way, I'd play there until my legs couldn't do it any more. I want to stay at this level because it's not getting any harder for me.
“I've never been one to push on things like this, but I need to get my situation sorted because I won't have a clue what I'm doing come the end of the season.
“I keep asking myself whether I'm just in the team now or whether I'm part of the long-term plans of the club. I need to know.”
