There are few more exciting times in the footballing calendar for fans than when the transfer window is thrown open.
Excited supporters sit with bated breath, pouring over every whisper and rumour as they wait in anticipation for all the comings and goings at their beloved club.
The A-League Men’s off-season has certainly not disappointed so far, with Perth Glory’s acquisition of former England international Daniel Sturridge headlining a roster of exciting moves across Australia’s top division.
However, for every player that has managed to secure their next move, there are a host of professionals waiting in the wings, searching tirelessly for an opportunity to continue their career.
With the impact of travel restrictions, Covid protocols and tightened purse strings being felt across the globe, it is proving harder than ever for off-contract players to find a chance; something demonstrated by the array of talent, Alexander Baumjohann, Roy O’Donovan and Luke DeVere to name but a few, living with the uncertainty of free agency.
Kick360 spoke to two players currently searching for a club to find out just what life is like as a free agent in the Covid-19 pandemic.
“You wonder if it’s ever going to end…”
“It’s been very strange, and it’s not been easy” says former Western United and Newcastle Jets forward Kaine Sheppard.
The former Jets and Western United striker has travelled the world in his eleven year career, taking in stints in England’s lower divisions, Finland and the NPL. Now the 27 year old finds himself unable to expand his horizons due to Australia’s border controls.
“I’ve kind of been in and out. When I first left Newcastle, I was a free agent in lockdown. Then I went to Western and I was able to train during that period, and now I’m a free agent again in lockdown.
“The biggest challenge is not being allowed out of the country. In the past, if a club was interested it would be easy to go there for a week or so and train so they could see you.”
The travel restrictions have been a huge stumbling block for the former A-League Men’s forward.
“Borders have been closed and you can’t go to different places in Australia to train unless they sign you, and it’s been really difficult to go overseas, because if you end up coming back you have to quarantine which is very expensive.
“I’ve had plenty of conversations with a lot of clubs in Australia and overseas. I’ve had a fair bit of interest, but because at Western I didn’t play as much and at Newcastle I had a little bit of an injury that people still ask questions about, they want me to go and train for a week.
“Normally that would be fine, but it’s just not as easy to get out at the moment.”
The English born attacker has instead been left with no other option than training alone while the search continues, trying to stay fit, stay positive and stay motivated.
“I’ve been very fortunate. I have a gym in my house that I built before lockdown. My partner has been really supportive. But there have been days where it has been really difficult and you wonder if it’s ever going to end, how you’re going to get there, and keeping that motivation to keep training every day is difficult.
“I’ve worked with a few psychologists that I know to work on a few things that have managed to help me through.”
“For me, it’s about being patient, weighing up opportunities and just staying ready.”
“I’m trying not to give up, keep training, keep believing that something is coming for me.”
While Sheppard is hoping to build on his fledgling A-League career, Ali Abbas is at the other end of the spectrum.
At 35 years old, and with more than 150 appearances for the Jets, Sydney and Wellington Phoenix to his name, the experienced Iraq international has found himself without a club following the end of his second spell in Newcastle.
“Last year with the Newcastle Jets, I felt really good. My body was strong and fit. I didn’t get my full opportunity in Newcastle which was a bit disappointing, I felt that during the training and the games I played, that I felt good and did very well. I didn’t have any issues with my age, I just need more game time to get fitter.”
Despite feeling ready and raring to go, Abbas suspects that his age is a stumbling block for some.
“It’s difficult, but once you get over 30, some people just don’t look at you anymore. The problem is they don’t look at the performance, they look at the age, and that’s a bit frustrating for players like me.
“I think I have got another two or three years on me, because I look after my body very well and train hard, so hopefully I find something soon to get going.”
Despite his ambitions to continue playing, the has struggled to find interest outside of the NPL.
As a result, the utility player is looking to his homeland, a country he famously fled over a decade ago, for playing opportunities.
“It’s concerning, especially here in Australia. I’ve put myself out to a few clubs but they haven’t got back to me. They said because of Covid they can’t have anyone in on trial… I’m trying to look overseas if nothing happened here, probably go back to Iraq, see my family and play for a few months there… then go over to Asia or come back to Australia. I have had a few offers from the State League but I didn’t want to take them for now.”
Like Sheppard, he has been training alone and doing his best to remain positive.
“I’m trying not to give up, keep training, keep believing that something is coming for me.”
With lockdowns expected to be lifted in the coming weeks, players in similar situations to Abbas and Sheppard will be hoping that the relaxation of restrictions will bring with it a wave of new opportunities, and that the end of lockdown will also equate to an end to any uncertainty over their footballing futures.
