"I just decided professional football wasn’t for me"

[CaptCanary 72]

Just read this interview with Anthony Spyrou. I seem to remember him doing well in the academy, so it's interesting to read what happened to him after he left.

https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/stowmarket/sport/stow-signing-opted-out-of-pro-game-9200116/

 

[AJ 1,359]

Sad to hear as I remember him looking a bright spark in that youth squad, but that's youth football unfortunately, sadly a lot of players don't make it for varying reasons but glad it looks like he's got his life back on track. I'd like to think things have moved on since his loans and that we do a fair amount of research before sending players out. There have certainly been good examples where it has worked well, Cantwell and Maddison being two good recent examples. Sadly they can't always be guaranteed game time and have to earn that part. Sadly sometimes it does come down to luck of the draw with fitness of the player and the ones they are competing with for game time

[TheGunnShow 7,377]

Considering he jumped back two levels quickly, there's a chance he might come again. Not necessarily with Norwich, but probably back in the lower professional leagues. He comes over well in that interview, self-aware and knowing what put him in that sort of place.

[crispeduk 282]

As in all walks of life the most important thing is to be as happy as possible in your situation and if it’s not working after giving it a fair crack, move on. Pleased he’s still playing and can only wish him well.

[lake district canary 4,830]

Looks like the loans were the main problem. Wrexham is a world away from life in Norwich - and Chesterfield is err....Chesterfield......if you've been there, you know what I mean. Norwich is a fabulous place to be for a young footballer, not too many distractions and a family club atmosphere. The trend to send players to foreign clubs is the way forwards, especially for more sensitive types to allow them to flourish without being subject to British League 1 or League 2 stuff. 

Hope he does well at Stowmarket, who knows, it might lead on to other things. Essex lad, so plenty of options nearby for progression.

[Terminally Yellow 2,614]

That's a really interesting read, thank you. I remember seeing him in a reserves match and thought he looked a good prospect. Sounds like he struggled away from home. We often forget that these young players we send abroad or across the country are really just young boys. I remember I had terrible home sickness the first few weeks away from home at Uni. I can understand why some would find coping with that and having the pressures of professional football overwhelming.

[TeemuVanBasten 3,328]

"I wanted to go home, play with my mates"

Either you are prepared to do what it takes to make it in a globalised sport or you aren't.

Just thinking of Grant Holt here, a loan in Western Australia then a season in Singapore! 

[TeemuVanBasten 3,328]

I also have an old school friend who, upon realsing that his future in the game would likely lie at National League or League Two level, decided to become a Software developer and go and earn what are essentially good League One wages for a major tech company.

Football isn't the be all and end all.