Ace is unfazed by Notts loan switch
HARRY ARTER says he had no qualms about dropping back into Non-League after making a surprise loan move across the Trent to Notts County – just 18 months after Nottingham Forest bought him for £5 million.
The former Premier League midfielder has only played a handful of games this season while on loan at Charlton Athletic and instigated the temporary move in a bid to salvage a tough season on a personal level, but also to help Notts’ promotion goal.
Non-League football isn’t an unknown to Arter. The 32-yearold made his name in the Conference South with Woking where he landed a dream move to Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth.
There he helped the Cherries to two promotions as they reached the top flight, where he has played more than 100 times, including with a loan spell at Cardiff City.
Arter instigated the conversation with head coach Ian Burchnall and was impressed with what he heard from the Magpies chief and how he wants to play the game.
And he revealed the enjoyable spell at Woking that propelled him forward in his career holds fond memories.
“I look back on my career and it was one of the happiest and most enjoyable times,” Arter told Notts’ YouTube channel.
“That sounds crazy to say but I’m not saying it to say it. Maybe it’s my age and the older you get the more responsible you have to be and that probably comes with an added pressure.
Aspirations
“But I had a great time. It was Conference South at Woking. It really kick-started my career. I was a young boy with aspirations to play in the Premier League. I remember some of my team-mates looking at me thinking I was way off it and had no chance with where we were at the time – Conference South to the Premier League.
“But I really had a desire to play in the Premier League. It wasn’t a dream, I genuinely lieved I could. With hard work, be-and a bit of luck, anything is possible. If there are any lads here I can try and give a little bit of advice to and say never give up on your dream. As cheesy as that sounds, the only way you’re going to achieve what you really want in football every single day.
“I did that at Woking and then got lucky going to Bournemouth under Eddie Howe, an unbelievable manager – it’s no surprise he’s achieved, and continues to achieve, what he has.
I got lucky working with him, he really developed my game.
“But I love Non-League. When this came about I didn’t have any qualms of dropping down. To me the level doesn’t really matter. I’m looking forward to play- ing and see what it brings.”
Arter says he is enjoying being back into training knowing he has a chance of selection at the weekend.
“I’ll be totally honest, that’s the most difficult part I’ve found for the past three or four months,” he said. “It’s been difficult going in knowing there is no game at the end of the week,” Ar-ter said.
“Andy Reid, the U23s manager, has been great with me and managed me as well as he could. Now with the season coming to an end, to an extent, I really feel like I want to go out with a bang and get something out of a season that has been really disappointing.
“There’s no two-ways about it, it’s been as disappointing this season as it was last season. I’m not getting any younger, football careers are so short and life can be so short. So I want to enjoy everything I can to the maximum. This is purely coming here thinking I can help the team and definitely enjoy it as well.”
