Life after York City

ALL but two of the 13 players released by York City last summer failed to find another job in professional football.

That is the stark reality facing the nine players who were shown the KitKat Crescent door last month and, even more worryingly, they were playing for a Nationwide Conference side last season not the Football League outfit City were 12 months ago.

Released Minstermen Darren Edmondson and Richard Hope were given two-year contracts at League Two outfit Chester City last summer but were this week told they are free to pursue a future elsewhere.

Otherwise, City's remaining discarded players from last season drifted into part-time football in the Conference North, UniBond League, Southern League or, in the case of Andy Bell, unknown oblivion.

Three of last summer's released City players Christian Fox, Richard Cooper and Stuart Wise have, however, given assurances to the latest bunch of unwanted professionals to leave York that life after football does exist.

All three believe, in fact, that earning potential can be boosted and future career prospects enhanced by combining a full-time occupation with playing semi-professional football.

Scottish midfielder Fox is just weeks away from gaining a diploma in personal training and sports massage, combative Cooper is considering making use of his fitness trainer qualification and former centre-back Wise estimates he will make more money playing as a part-time striker and operating plant machinery than he did as a City professional.

Fox, 24, is currently completing a course run by Premier Training in conjunction with Next Generation gym, which involves 12 weeks of intense tuition from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

It is a far cry from the hours Fox will have been required to work as a full-time footballer and the regular exams and assessments will also be a new experience.

But, having left Conference North club Harrogate Town for UniBond League first division outfit Wakefield and Emley last season, Fox has decided on a change in career direction.

He said: "You do miss the training every day and being with the lads but you don't miss the pressure and stress of the professional game. I was hoping to stay in football last summer but there's just no money in the lower leagues.

"You get enough to survive on but can't build for the future. Unless you are at least at Championship level you cannot rely on football to be your career for life.

"My message to any players released this summer would be it's happened and there's no point in getting down about it. You need to move on.

"Some might be lucky and get another club but finding another career is something you would have to think about at the age of 35 anyway so I suppose you are just having to think about it a bit sooner. You can also earn as much playing part-time football and getting a job. In fact, you will probably be better off."

Fox, who scored one goal in 77 appearances for City, is now pondering whether to seek a job at a gym or work on a self-employed basis when he receives his diploma and intends to still turn out for Wakefield & Emley next season.

Cooper suffered the worst nightmare of any out-of-contract player last summer - a serious injury.

The 25-year-old midfielder returned to City in July for pre-season training still hoping to persuade the club he was worth a new deal.

But, after tearing a thigh muscle, Cooper was out of action for three months and broke down again after going on trial at Conference rivals Burton Albion.

He eventually got fit in January and joined fellow ex-Minstermen Mitch Ward and Peter Duffield at Conference North club Alfreton Town on a non-contract basis.

While at Alfreton, he turned down a tentative inquiry from City's then caretaker manager Viv Busby, saying: "I had a little sniff when Viv was in charge and Jeff Miller (City physio) rang me up to ask if I fancied coming back. I thought about it but, at the time, I was being paid by Alfreton and there was no guarantee of anything at York."

Cooper, who netted four times in 111 Minstermen appearances, is now contemplating whether to follow a career as a fitness trainer, having studied for the qualification with former Bootham Crescent goalkeeper Alan Fettis after the pair stumbled across an internet advert while still City players.

He also agrees with Fox that there is no point in moping when it is likely that you have kicked your last ball as a professional footballer, saying: "Sometimes you get blinkered when you've been in football for years and you don't really realise what's out there until you go out and look for it. I was distraught at first when I got released and being stuck in the treatment room for three months was a nightmare.

"It was a case of needing to get fit to try to get a job as I couldn't even work as a fitness trainer because I couldn't walk. But now I'm fit I've got a friend who has gone down the fitness trainer path while also playing part-time with FA Trophy finalists Hucknall Town.

"Life goes on after professional football and it might even make you a stronger and better person. That's the way I look at it."

Wise, 21, also suffered a serious injury last season, while playing for struggling UniBond League premier division club Gateshead as a centre forward.

He netted four goals for the former Conference club before damaging his medial knee ligaments but is fit again now and hopes to return to part-time football after he has completed his plant operator course in Norwich this July.

He said: "I have 11 tickets to drive 11 different machines now and I have got a job with a company who have paid for me to complete the course. The money is also decent and better than what I was on at York City."

Where are they now: Last summer's released City players

Andy Bell - Whereabouts unknown.

Stephen Brackstone - started season with Bishop Auckland in the UniBond league before becoming a sales rep.

Richard Cooper - After injury at Burton Albion, joined Alfreton Town on a non-contract basis. Considering a qualification to become a fitness trainer.

Stephen Downes - returned to play for UniBond League first division side Ossett Albion last season.

Darren Edmondson - halfway through two-year professional contract at Chester City but has been told he can leave.

Christian Fox - With Wakefield & Emley. Completing course on sports massage as a personal trainer.

Liam George - Played a handful of games with Conference South champions Grays Athletic before joining St Albans, of the Southern League, on loan.

Richard Hope - Halfway through his two-year professional contract at Chester City but has been told he can leave.

Mark Ovendale - Combining goalkeeping coaching at Welsh amateur clubs with life between the sticks as a popular number one for Tiverton To wn, who just missed out on a Southern League play-off place.

Chris Smith - Enjoyed a solid season for Conference North club Stafford Rangers and is now weighing up his options for the next campaign.

Mitch Ward - Released by Conference North club Alfreton Town.

Leigh Wood - Played part-time for Harrogate Town last season and is coaching young footballers in York.

Stuart Wise - Played for Gateshead until injury ruled him out for rest of the season. Completing plant operator course.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, May 13, 2005