"I was talking to someone in the Championship," recalls the 33-year-old, who was released by Bristol City in May and spent six months without a club before signing a short-term deal with League One Wrexham during the recent international break.
"They said 'We need an experienced player under the age of 23 that's played in the league'. I was thinking 'Okay, best of luck'.
To get someone like that, you're either going to have to pay a ridiculous amount of money or more likely - they don't actually exist.
"But that's what I was coming up against over and over again.
I'd speak to managers and think something was going to happen.
But then you realise that the managers aren't really in control of signings any more - it's the people up above.
"If you don't match the methodology of the club, you won't get signed. And being 33, I wasn't matching a lot of them because they all wanted a saleable asset on the balance sheet.
"That became extremely frustrating because I knew in myself that I had a lot to give, and not just on the pitch. If you've got a promising 20-year-old who isn't quite ready and needs mentoring, I can help with that.
"There's more to football than what happens on a matchday.
There's more to a player than the date in his passport. Thankfully Wrexham recognised that and I'm very grateful they did." Age may not be on James' side, but a career decimated by injury means there aren't too many miles on the clock, either.
A product of the Manchester United youth system, he joined Leicester in 2012 and formed a silky midfield partnership with Danny Drinkwater in the side that romped to the Championship title under Nigel Pearson in 2014.
Bu hikaye The Football League Paper dergisinin December 08, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Football League Paper dergisinin December 08, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
RAVENS FLY TO STORMY SUCCESS
ANDY Woodman admitted Bromley's win over Accrington is a game his victorious side 'will never watch back again'.
U'S TAME THE A FAST START
GARETH Ainsworth was dismayed with Shrewsbury's defending as his side were beaten by a rampant Cambridge, in a game which included a goal in the first minute of both halves.
SUPER BLUES' JAY AT DOUBLE
JAY STANSFIELD bagged the plaudits for Birmingham with a brace as they hit back to beat ten-man Barnsley in front of 5,000 travelling fans at Oakwell.
MATT'S ODE TO JOY FOR DETERMINED CHAIRBOYS
Royals in recovery with boss departed
IT JUST EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE - IT WAS WILD!
SHEFFIELD United v West Brom? For fans of a certain vintage, it's a fixture that can only conjure one memory.
ROHL RAGES WITH HIS SLOPPY OWLS
DANNY Rohl ripped into his Sheffield Wednesday side after they were held at home by Preston.
ACE KEEPER KAMINSKI IS THE BIG DIFFERENCE
LUKE Williams insisted that his Swansea City side could well have left with all three points after being denied victory by home keeper Thomas Kaminski.
Kolli is Marti's new Ray of sunshine
PROUD QPR boss Marti Cifuentes is hoping Rayan Kolli's maiden senior goals prove to be \"the first of many\" after the youngster played a starring role in the victory over Norwich.
FIRST WIN FOR FRANK AS LIONS ARE TAMED
COVENTRY head coach Frank Lampard felt his players took the game by the scruff of the neck after half-time the Sky Blues.
EUSTACE SALUTES BATTLING ROVERS
But a lot to ponder for Selles