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Kevin Nicholson: I’m ready for one last hurrah!

THIS time of year might be all about the promoted clubs enjoying their moment in the spotlight, downing the champagne and jetting off to party in Magaluf.

But, for the majority of players, the time has come to search for the next challenge in a saturated market. Just ask . The 34-year-old left-back is on the job hunt.

He’s been a professional footballer for 17 years, won promotion from the Conference, played 46 times for Harriers last season – and he’s fitter than he’s ever been. So has the phone rung yet?

“I’ve been doing the ringing,” Nicholson says. “I’ve had agents in the past, some good, some not so good.

“I’m at the stage in my career where I’m comfortable enough to ring round. The reaction I’ve had, even the managers who have said no, I get the feeling they appreciate you doing it rather than an agent.

“Believe me it’s horrible. I have to build myself up to make the call. I’ve got a couple of guys who have helped me out getting hold of a few numbers and so has Dean Holdsworth at The Footballers’ Association.

Jealous

“You sit there looking at that number thinking, ‘The chances are they are going to say no’. That’s the nature of the beast but it’s better to know the answer.

“It’s early anyway, a lot of managers are sorting contracted players and don’t know if they’re going to take them or not.

“What might be a no now might be a yes in three or four weeks. But you’ve got to start, you’ve got to get your name out, because if I can get something nailed down I can have an enjoyable summer and really get myself ready to go for next season.”

The former defender is already doing that. After a week off, he’s in the gym working hard. It’s all to get ready for what he really wants most – one final hurrah, a last bit of glory to put in his scrapbook before he does retire his sweet left foot.

“Last year I had to play for free at Kidderminster for a bit to prove my worth. Off the back of that I got a two-year contract so it was looking great.

“Unfortunately, that’s how fast changes. The money went and the manager Gary Whild asked if I would be willing to give up my deal because of the situation. He’s a good bloke, I had to respect what he asked for.

“All I want at my stage now is that last promotion, that last cup run, another appearance at . All those big things for lower league footballers. You’re not going to get rich, but you might finish playing with a lot of experiences and silverware. That’s all I’m after. Getting it is a whole different ball game.”

He admits watching this season’s Conference play-offs – and Bristol Rovers’ Lee Mansell, who he won promotion alongside at Torquay – has made him jealous.

Nicholson says: “I text Lee Mansell and said, ‘Mate, all the best. Just to let you know I’m insanely jealous’. He’s playing at Bristol Rovers in front of 12,000, he’s off to play at Wembley on Sunday in front of 50,000. That’s what you play for.

Football - Cambridge United v Torquay United -  Blue Square Premier Play-Off Final - Wembley Stadium - 08/09 - 17/5/09 Torquay United's Lee Mansell (L) and Kevin Nicholson celebrate victory Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul Harding
Kevin Nicholson, right, celebrates promotion at Torquay with Lee Mansell

“If you’re not in the Premier League, a multi-millionaire playing at great grounds every week, the next best thing is a lower league footballer being successful. That’s what I’m pushing for.”

Earlier in the season, he explained to The why he’s in the shape of his life. He’s learnt how best to prepare his body, has specifically designed training plans from Winners gym in Torquay and sometimes sees a chiropractor.

The fact he played every minute of Kiddy’s first 40 games this season is testament to that. He also finds visiting a hypnotist has helped the mental side of his game – and staying off message boards.

“I used to read them when I was younger,” he says. “It’s fantastic when things are going well. You don’t know who the people are, but they’re saying how great you are, this, that and the other.

Prepared

“Then I went on the Torquay one once and I was coming second in a poll of who was the biggest pie eater! At that point I thought, it’s best I stop reading these things.”

Articulate and intelligent, Nicholson wants to move into coaching and management when he stops playing.

“I know it’s going to come to an end one day,” Nicholson, who is taking his UEFA A Licence course this summer, says.

“But I’ve worked very hard to get myself in physical and mental condition to carry on playing for another three or four years.

“I also know my next step. I know I’m going to go into coaching and management. There’s no set path. You’ve got to go where the work is. I’m very goal orientated, I’ve got no worries I’ll get there. As always, it’s easy to talk about what you will do, I imagine it’s not going to be as easy to do it.

“But I’ve no fear of that. I’ve had a great career. I have a little ritual now, even though my teammates think I’m a raving weirdo, that Paul Buckle got us doing when we were at Torquay.

“When we first got to away games he used to make us walk around the pitch three times. Part of that was a psychological thing of getting used to your surroundings.

“For me part of it was walking around those grounds and taking it in that I might never play there again. I do it now. You get in that frame of mind where you appreciate what you’re doing and what you’ve done.

“I might make 50 calls and get 49 rejections, but I know I’ll play somewhere. My preparation is as if I’m going back to play for the league champions. When I get there, I’m going to be the fittest, the strongest and the most prepared.”

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