Having moved across to the other side of the world to try my luck in British football things took an unexpected turn and I entered the hurly burly world of the Scottish game. Life in the sport is rarely straight forward…
It seems a long time ago now that I left Townsville with the both my own and the North Queensland Fury’s future up in the air.
Like the club, I’d had an up and down season, struggling to get into the squad initially. I was fortunate to play the majority of games in the latter part of the season where I played some of my best football.
On leaving Townsville to head back home to Newcastle at season’s end, everything was thrown in chaos.
It became clear the owner of the Jets was fast running out of money and Football Federation Australia was far from guaranteeing the club’s survival.
When the FFA did decide to save the club the feeling I got was that it was unlikely I would be offered a new contract.
It was then that I started to think of trying my luck in the UK and went down the road of getting a visa sorted.
This proved a bit of nightmare and seemed to take for forever, I missed pre-season and arrived almost a month into the season proper.
I trialled with Crewe initially but on the first day it seemed apparent that I faced an uphill battle as they already had six centre halves signed.
After Crewe I travelled about trialling and training with a number of League Two and Conference teams.
Whilst the tension and stress of being on trial in England was difficult at times I was lucky enough to play three Premier League teams in practice matches.
At Crewe I played against a full strength Stoke City, with Rory Delap launching his trademark throw-ins into the box and whilst at Cheltenham I was lucky enough to play against Birmingham and West Brom.
These were definite highlights and something I had dreamed about my whole life.
The low point came at Newport County where my two sessions there consisted of circle ball and diving headers practice before I politely informed them I would not be back.
Eventually I headed to Scotland where former Fury assistant Stuart Petrie had arranged a trial with First Division club Ross County.
I spent around a month there and it was by far the most enjoyable football experience of my time in the UK.
Just as things were progressing the manager was sacked and I was back to square one.
Being the middle of January, my chances of finding anything were pretty much nil, and the thought of what the hell I am going to do was becoming increasingly frequent.
I started to toy with the idea of returning to journalism after having worked as journalist before I signed with Sydney FC and I also have a degree in the field.
It kept my mind off playing for a while but eventually the desire to get back playing was too strong and when Petrie offered me the chance to play with Arbroath, where he is the assistant, in the Scottish Second Division, I jumped at it.
I have been playing there now for almost six months, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
It has taken a while to adjust, I am not going to lie, it’s not at the level of the A-League and is a very different style.
Teams are much more direct but thankfully at Arbroath we play a short passing game and try to keep possession rather than looking to hit long balls at every chance.
I hope to carry on playing wherever that may be for as long as possible but I hope at the same time to build a career as a football writer.
Thankfully The Roar has given me the chance to develop as a writer in a weekly column where I will discuss both Australian and world Football matters.
I hope you enjoy it.
Robbie
Roar Pro
It is always fascinating to hear from a professional football plying their trade in a new environement overseas, especially one who can write so well and has experience in journalism!
Dan the Sydney FC Fan
Guest
Hi Beau, good luck in Scotland mate and all the very best there champ!!!!!! :-) I remember you quite well from your old FC days...... I really hope your team can get promoted to the 1st division....... Keep all of us informed regarding your game time, your teams current performance, etc.......
Jeb
Guest
Great article Beau. Look forward to others - I'll be reading for sure.
sledgeross
Guest
Gday Beau, Staggies fan here! Glad to here you enjoyed your time in Dingwall at Ross County. I was pleased as punch when Petrie signed there (and became a coach), glad to hear you both doing well. Great insight to what you blokes have to do for a game as well.
Midfielder
Guest
Great read mate and good luck with your career....
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Best of luck to you, Beau, thanks for taking the time to write this up, very interesting read.
Beau Busch
Guest
Quite a few of the clubs I went to on trial were struggling and the pressure the manager was under was quickly clear and you knew they were in trouble. The pressure can make it difficult for the manager to take a risk on player who has no experience in the UK as they have no room for mistakes as their job is on the line.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Welcome aboard, mate. We are all looking forward to your contributions
Cpaaa
Guest
Beau we all envy you. If one country knocks you back, then try another, writing or playing, your right, the journey is far from dull good luck mate and best wishes.
pete4
Guest
Yeah nice article. All the best over there too!!
Titus
Guest
Nice work Beau--as a Sydney FC fan I remember you as a player who gave it their all. Its good to hear that you are playing in Scotland, sounds like a great experience. Good luck with the playing and the writing!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yes, true, very common story, players have to go back to square one to start impressing the newcomer - it must be very, very wearing and emotionally draining, takes a lot to tough it out and keep going.
Griffo
Roar Guru
What everyone else said Beau. "Just as things were progressing the manager was sacked and I was back to square one." I've heard that mentioned a number of times by players over the years, even after signing contracts and starting games. After spending more than a week at a club do you get a sense of any impending doom for the manager as a trialist?
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Apologies Beau, I meant "Tales from a suitcase" not "Tails" ;)
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Fantastic first up article - well done. Facing those Delap cruise missiles must have been pretty scarey!
The Bear
Guest
Kudos to you and Roar. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Bondy
Guest
An enjoyable read Beau . Dodgy pen at Old Trafford again to the home side this morning, same old .
nordster
Guest
'well in' Roar and Beau... look forward to reading your columns
Roarchild
Guest
Looking forward to this column. I read the "Away Game" by Mathew Hall and you don't have to be playing for Barcelona to have an interesting story. Don't hesitate to talk about Arbroath in your column.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Beau Thanks for the insights and look forward to more of the same. It's fantastic for fans to have players talk honestly about the Game and give us informed insights, so I eagerly await your regular contributions on The Roar. Best of luck on & off the field.