Blues midfielder Jon Nolan has revealed he spent time signing on the dole early on in his career having been released by hometown club Everton, where he had come through the academy.

Having been let go by the Toffeemen, Nolan was set to join Watford until a knee injury scuppered the move and led to a spell of unemployment.

“That was the longest year of my life,” the 26-year-old, who signed for Town from Shrewsbury in the summer, recalled in an interview in Saturday’s match programme.

“Everyone who knew me would say ‘Jon Nolan is going to be a footballer’ and there I was signing on the dole. I was embarrassed really.""

“They were dark, dark times in my life. I was going in to sign on with a hat on so that I wouldn’t get recognised by anyone.

“I went on trial to a few Welsh non-League clubs but I just couldn’t get going with my knee. I was going out drinking and all that every weekend and that didn’t help.

“I’d sign on, get the money and go and blow it over the weekend. It’s depressing even talking about it now.

""“I can remember the last time I walked out of the dole office, I was signing for Stockport a week later, it was probably the best feeling of my life - knowing I wouldn’t be going back in there again. It was unbelievable.”

After his spell with the Hatters, Nolan spent time with Lincoln, Wrexham, Grimsby and Chesterfield before his spell with the Shrews. He has made 24 starts and three sub appearances for the Blues, scoring three times.

Photo: Pagepix

BaddowBlue1 added 13:47 - Mar 29 A very easy trap to fall into and some never get out. Good life lesson here and well done Jon for sharing it. Please make sure that you support and share this with the young apprentices as not every one of them will make it at Town but as you have proved there are other avenues to reach your goal.
8

itfcjoe added 14:38 - Mar 29 Interesting to read, and good that Jon has been able to repay this by his income taxes by finding very lucrative employment now - shows the value of the welfare state in helping people
4

OwainG1992 added 15:19 - Mar 29 Interesting read. Makes me proud to see him being given a proper chance by a PROPER club like ourselves. He will be so key in our promotion push next season.
5

midastouch added 20:54 - Mar 29 Tom Adeyemi would just be warming up after just a year! All joking aside, great to hear Nolan made it through a tough time and came out smiling in the end. Most satisfying for him. Nolan didn't look to be up to much for the first half of the season but he's definitely improved for us which is good to see. The only criticism I'd have of his more recent form was that costly miss against Reading just before half time, that really did cost us that one but been more good than bad of late from Jon and hopefully he can be a force for us next season in League One.

0

Jonaldo added 13:08 - Mar 30 I like this. He is a good player, nice ball skills, a cut above others. Nice to know he is a normal bloke with his feet on the ground.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls