Drewe Broughton - out of contract

Drewe Broughton will be kicking his heels on Saturday whilst 72 Football League clubs kick off the new Football League season. For a player who has kicked off the last 13 seasons it will be purgatory but Broughton is remaining optimistic as he strives to continue his professional career. Since being released by MK Dons in the summer, Broughton has had trials at Gillingham, Rotherham United and Luton Town but, as yet, there has been no concrete offer for the 29-year-old striker who has appeared for 12 clubs during his career. There have been and still are offers on the table for Broughton but he is determined to continue playing in the Football League and has gambled on opportunities arising in the next month. It is a brave move for Broughton but one, as he told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson in this exclusive interview, that he hopes he doesn't live to regret.

Q: THERE HAVE BEEN OFFERS OF A CONTRACT FOR YOU THIS SUMMER HASN’T THERE?

A: St. Patrick's Athletic in Ireland and a club in the Danish first division both made me offers, which was good money and more than I am likely to earn in England. There have also been contract offers from clubs in the Blue Square Premier League too but I want to continue playing in the Football League. It isn't easy as it is a gamble not to take up these offers and I have had a few sleepless nights thinking them over.

Q: WHY DID YOU DECIDE NOT TO TAKE THEM UP?

A: I don't want that tag of being a non-league player at present. I am only 29, I still feel really good and I believe my peak years are ahead of me. I scored double figures in the Football League for the two seasons prior to the last one and I am still ambitions. If I was playing in the Football League and had a good six or seven months scoring goals then someone is likely to sit up and take notice. If I went over to Ireland and scored a lot of goals I would be forgotten over here and that isn't what I want to happen.

Q: WILL IT BE STRANGE ON SATURDAY NOT TO BE KICKING OFF THE SEASON IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE?

A: It will be a worrying time but I am going to draw on all my experience and wait for an opportunity. You can't force managers to make signings and I know that a lot of them have put their eggs in a certain basket. However, experience tells me that sometimes a door opens and an opportunity arises when the season starts as players might not be delivering what the manager wants.

Q: WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN ORDER TO KEEP YOURSELF FIT?

A: I am training twice a day by myself and one of my friends, who is a sports scientist, has devised all my programmes. I have been working with him for five years now and he has improved my fitness levels, I have also got a couple of friends locally who coach at non-league level and I have been going along to their evening sessions just to keep me ticking over too. The game has changed a lot over the last few years and you need to be an athlete, as it is far more physical, so it is important that you change with the times.

Q: HAS THIS BROUGHT HOME TO YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARING FOR A LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL?

A: I have currently got my UEFA Level 3 coaching Licence and next summer I intend to take my Level 4. I hope to have another six or seven years playing yet at least, but it is important to make preparations and I would love to coach when my playing career has finished. The prospect of working in the USA appeals as I have a few contacts over there so that is a long-term ambition of mine but, for at present, I just want to play football. * Drewe Broughton can be contacted through www.givemefootball.com or via the PFA head office in Manchester