Michael Taylor started off his career as a schoolboy with Tranmere Rovers before moving to Blackburn. It was going well for him and he became the youngest player to appear in the Rovers reserves.
But it didn’t work out, and after a couple of years at Cheltenham Town, Michael found himself looking for a job – and he turned to the PFA for help.
Q: What assistance have you received from the PFA?
A: I have been on two different courses. The first one was an off-shore survival course which is a basic course you need if you are going to be on oil rigs and moving around on helicopters and swimming out to fire fight. The second course was a rigging and lifting course which is a higher qualification and gives you a better chance of a job.
Q: How important are these courses?
A: They are very important and they are not cheap and the financial help from the PFA was vital, especially as I have dropped down the leagues and am now playing with Fleetwood Town in the Conference North.
Q: Was it easy to deal with the PFA?
A: Very easy and to be honest it was great that they were still prepared to help even though I had dropped out of the league.
Q: Is it difficult to break into work after football?
A: I have only ever played football and if you had gone up to an oil rig recruitment company without any qualifications I wouldn’t have got a look in.
As a footballer I would not be an attractive proposition to an employer, especially as I don’t have a background in construction so these courses were essential.
Q. Are you using these qualifications now?
A. At the moment I am working in Liverpool docks near home and very local for me, but the qualifications will allow me to go off shore in the future.
Q. Any advice to other lads involved in football about considering a career outside the game?
A. I think most players probably use the PFA when it is too late. If there is help there use it now and make the most of it. Get as many qualifications now otherwise it may be too late for an employer, especially for young players.
Players work short hours so have time. Use that time because you don’t always see the end of your career and it can creep up on you.
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