NOW I MISS THE AGONY OF OLD!

“DO you miss it?” Nine years have passed since my last game, for the Grimsby Town team that won the 2016 National League play-off final. I'm 41 now. And yet it still feels as though I get asked that question every other week - the “it”, of course, being “football” and playing the game for a living.

- Gregor ROBERTSON

So, do I miss it? You know what, as the years have passed, my answer has evolved. The actual kicking the ball around bit? To be honest, not really. The banter and camaraderie in the changing-room? I can get by without that.

The buzz of playing in front of a crowd? Yeah, of course. But fortunately my job as a journalist still takes me to stadiums most weekends, where I get to hear the matchday atmosphere crackle.

For years, my answer was a pretty simple one. What I missed most was competition. Having something to fight for and against. Opponents, team-mates, three points, the opinions of others, the voice in your head.

When you stop playing football, all that disappears overnight. I don’t think you can ever really replace it either.

So that was always my answer. But I guess with time you get used to life without that stuff too. So now? The thing I miss most? It’s being an athlete - and that is something you feel more than ever at this time of year.

Last week - as is the case as July approaches each year - my social media feeds were filled with footage of players returning to work, rested and recovered, readying themselves for the rigours of pre-season.

Ask any of them what they think the worst part of the job is and most would probably say pre-season! And it’s easy to see why.