The next free agent to fall under our microscope is New Zealand international striker Rory Fallon.
The next free agent to fall under our microscope is New Zealand international striker Rory Fallon
In the space of 12 months, Rory Fallon has gone from gracing the World Cup finals to becoming a free agent. A run-out at football's showpiece event will have done him no harm, though, and the New Zealander is likely to figure prominently on a number of Football League wish lists. At 29 years of age, he has over a decade of professional experience behind him and has established a reputation as a hard-working frontman with a keen eye for goal. Having severed ties with Plymouth Argyle at the end of last season, Fallon is hoping it will not be too long before he is back doing what he does best.
Is it worrying being an out of contract footballer in the current climate or is it something you accept as part and parcel of the modern game?
It's definitely part and parcel of what we go through. I'm just enjoying my break at the moment and not letting it worry me. That would take the quality and joy out of my day, so I'm not going to worry about it. I'm just going to take it as it comes. I'm enjoying my time here and I believe something will pop up - that's not a question, it's just about finding the right place.
Is being a free agent something you can almost enjoy as you can now pick and choose where you go next?
It's tough when you haven't really made your name, when you're a young lad and you haven't really played many games. That's where it's really tough, or tougher. You might not get clubs interested in you, whereas I've done quite a bit. I'm quite experienced now and I've been in the spotlight, with the World Cup and stuff like that, so I'm always going to get my name out there, whereas some kids won't get that. I believe something will come up and I'm just waiting on that.
Is there anything football can do to stop more and more players dropping into the free agent market every year?
That's the crazy thing, there are a lot of people available as free agents. But, unfortunately, there is nothing you can really do about it. If a club doesn't renew your contract, there isn't much you can do. A lot of clubs will hopefully take out contracts, but in football now everyone is watching their money and how much they spend. People want bargains and you are going to see a big cut in wages. But that is probably good for the game because the wages are a bit crazy still, I think, for any person working a normal day-to-day job.
Does it make you work so much harder as player with there being so many one-year contracts around?
I have always wanted two-year contracts. I never wanted three-year contracts because you go through the motions really , but two years and one year make you stay on your toes. You have to be on it all the time. The day I stop learning and the day I stop trying will be the day I hang up my boots. At the moment I am still really hungry and I want to keep playing.
You seem to be quite relaxed about the whole thing, are you prepared to sit tight and see what happens?
I'm like that anyway. I'm quite calm. I believe in my ability and I know I can do a good job somewhere. It's just about waiting it out.
Have you given any thought as to the level you would like to play at? Are you aiming at the Championship?
I'd love to play in the Championship. I would love someone to give me a chance to play in the Championship, like I did at Ipswich and did well under Roy Keane. I'd love to have that opportunity. But a good League One club would be good or even League Two. As long as I stay in England I'll be happy because I love playing football in England.
So heading home and playing in the A-League isn't something you are thinking about at the moment?
That's not really in my sights at the moment. You can never say never to anything, but at the moment I'd like to stay in England.
Are you prepared to relocate? You have to go where the contracts are don't you?
Definitely. It's only me and my wife at the moment, we don't have any kids. We are packing our stuff already as we speak, packing up the house and getting it ready because we know we will be moving somewhere, it's just a matter of where. That's the thing that people don't see, it's quite uncertain as a footballer. Kids drop out of school and don't have anything behind them and end up with an uncertain future. It's quite a hard game. People just see the glitz and glamour but they don't see what's behind it - the tough decisions and the waiting around not knowing what's going to happen.
What do you feel are your best attributes? Will your experience be key?
Definitely my experience. I'm also probably one of the players that is a Championship-come-League One-player that isn't going to cost you a fortune. I just want to play. Football is all about playing for me. It's not about the big money, it's all about playing games. I'm a smart boy and I know I will always get a job somewhere. It's not about the money for me, it's about playing at a good level and playing for a good team.
To see the full list of players currently available as free agents, provided by the PFA, click
here.
We would like to hear your thoughts on the best free transfers out there. Who should we be talking to? Who are this summer's bargains? Who should your club be targeting?
Maybe you are a player that would like to be featured, or an agent looking to get a client fixed up for next season.
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