All the clubs are back in training for the start of the new season.
While there is speculation concerning which players will be going to which clubs there is still a lot of uncertainty for many players who are still trying to get fixed up with a club.
One such player is Craig Easton. GMF caught up with him...
Q. What happened to you at the end of the season?
A. My contract at Southend was up and they made me an offer which I turned down. The contract was on reduced terms and as I said I turned it down.
Q. What were you expecting from the club?
A. I was prepared to take a drop in money. I told them I would take a bit less but what they offered was a lot less and that they were working on a budget. I was the only player out of contract..
Q. Was there any room for negotiating?
A. It didn’t appear to me that was the case. The offer was made and that was that really, there was no negotiation. I signed a year’s contract last season even though I was offered a three year deal because I didn’t think the club were in a great position financially at the time.
Q. Are you disappointed at what happened?
A. No, I understand the way football works. It is unfortunate that I played 38 games last season and I was very happy with the club and my family were settled. I was hoping that we would get into the play-offs but we didn’t quite make it and finished in mid-table.
Q. What are you doing now?
A. I am training with the club at the moment and that is keeping me in good shape. There are no hard feelings. I am ringing around a few clubs and there are a few things going on in the background so I will wait and see.
Q. So it is sitting by the phone time?
A. Yes it is. I am feeling very fit and ready to go so when someone comes in I am ready to start playing straightaway. It is an uncertain time but I am hopeful that something will come up.
