Despite AFC Telford United remaining in the dark over how and whether the current campaign will reach a conclusion, midfielder Adam Walker is ensuring he is “ready” for when football finally returns.
The outcome of the National League’s vote has yet to be disclosed as the football club remain in dialogue with all parties throughout the lockdown.
That means football is on the backburner for Adam, but away from the game it has been very much business as usual, with his full-time role at Leamington Spa-based company Market Location, as Adam explains:
“Although I am not playing football currently, in my normal job I am currently working from home. Both myself and my partner changed one of the bedrooms around and turned into a make-shift office”
Adam’s full-time job involves marketing and data solutions and helping businesses to market their brand and improve their services; the current lockdown has seen an increase in demand for their expertise, something not lost on Adam:
“Work has been busy! We have seen more businesses approach us for some help and support to ensure they can get through this difficult period. We offer marketing and data solutions to those who need business intelligence, and what we’ve seen in that companies have become cautious with how they spend their money.”
Demand for Market Location’s services has benefitted Adam in other ways too, as he explained:
“Working full time has helped me to stick to my normal routine as much as possible. I am working 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, which is good, because it helps with making the days go more quickly.”
The unexpected suspension of the season has affected fans and players alike, and although Adam is missing football and seeing his Bucks team-mates, he is making sure he is following the club’s fitness programme so that he is well prepared for when football can resume once more:
“The club have been brilliant during this time; I have been in contact with the staff and the rest of the lads. Azz (physio Aaron Lambley) has set us all fitness programmes to work from which involves physical and strength work. I have spent a lot time running with the dog and outside in the garden doing all my strength work.”
When not working full time and maintaining his fitness, Adam has been able to enjoy the period at home with his partner, although not all of the activities his Bucks colleagues have been using to fill their time appeal to the midfielder:
“I have seen a few of the lads playing a lot of computer games, but I am not really for them. I have spent most my downtime in the garden, walking the dog and enjoying some Netflix box sets with the missus.”
Having established a career in the non-league game in his late teens, Adam wasn’t afraid to admit that although fully understanding of the need for it, not playing football in the current lockdown had created a huge gap in his life:
“Yes, like everyone I am missing football; I miss the banter in the changing rooms, I have played football semi-professionally since 19 and it’s only now that you come to realise how important it is in everyone lives.”
The enforced break is bringing the community together with a common goal, to help to protect the NHS and save lives; however, there’s no doubt that fans and players alike are looking forward to the day when our most important goal can once again be celebrating victories of a different kind.
