THE BIG INTERVIEW: TOM CHAMPION

I've loved my time - now to hand on the baton

TOM CHAMPION always knew playing football wouldn’t last forever.

It’s probably why the he enjoyed it so much!

From a young player at Barnet, travelling to and from university in Birmingham to play for Martin Hayes’ Bishop’s Stortford at the weekend, then a 9-5 job in the city while at Dartford, the 37-year-old took the scenic route back to the professional game, eventually reaching the Football League.

Promotions, three trips to Wembley, a replay with Manchester United in the FA Cup and an enjoyable final year at Lewes, hanging up the boots this summer has been a decision on the former Cambridge United, Boreham Wood and Woking midfielder’s own terms.

Just as it was his own decision when he left Barnet in 2005 and chose to get a sports science degree rather than chase the next full-time contract.

“I went such a long way round before getting the chance to turn professional that I’d had other jobs, other experiences, other things going on,” Champion says. “It’s probably more difficult for people who go from an academy background or are in professional environments from the moment they are old enough and then have to face the reality when they get to their late 30s because they know no different.

“Because of my route into it, I had that context of knowing what else is out there in real life, jobs. I’d had a 9-5 at Dartford, then going to training 8-10 a couple of nights a week.

“That experience made me hungrier when I got a full-time opportunity because I knew it might not be there forever. It also helped me knowing when it jacks in, I’ve got other interests I could go into.