Eden-born goalkeeper Adam Collin returned to full pre-season training with new team-mates last weekend having signed for National League North side Kettering Town.
Collin, 35, of Great Salkeld, was released from Carlisle United earlier this year after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown brought an abrupt end to the League 2 season.
The fans’ favourite, who had skippered the Brunton Park side during the curtailed 2019-20 campaign and has racked up more than 400 appearances during his career, was given food for thought after his time at United ended.
“To be honest we’ve had a lot of time off, more than usual, and it has given me time to think about what I wanted to do at the age I am and at this stage of my career,” said Collin.
A new chapter will now start in non-league football after Nottingham-based Collin put pen to paper for Kettering Town.
They are managed by ambitious boss Paul Cox, a former Barrow manager, who harbours high hopes of putting the Northamptonshire club’s troubles of recent years behind them.
Collin said: “I had three or four offers from league clubs but I just thought the time was right for me to go into part-time football.
“The club is very ambitious. I spoke to the manager a couple of times and I’m just very happy to buy into what he is trying to achieve.”
Collin spent four seasons at the same league level with Workington — and lined up against Kettering — before moving onwards and upwards to Carlisle, Rotherham United and Notts County.
He also has a thriving coaching academy, AC1 Goalkeeping, and admitted this week to being “flat out with that”.
Having spent the past two Saturdays carrying out fitness tests at Kettering, Collin and his new team-mates will begin their full pre-season scheduled this weekend. It is hoped the National League North season will kick off in September.
“The response to me signing has been positive on social media. I’ve had a lot of nice messages, and I am just looking forward to getting it going.”
