Chris Burton catches up with Sam Stockley on the day the experienced defender hangs up his boots.
As part of skysports.com's League Two Spotlight, Chris Burton grabs a word with retiring Port Vale defender Sam Stockley
There comes a time in the career of every professional footballer when enough is enough.
With scientists yet to hit upon a formula for ever-lasting youth, and surgeons unable to magically heal all ailments, the day inevitably comes when it is time to hang up the boots and start contemplating life away from the field.
For many, it is impossible to kick the football habit, with the adrenalin which accompanies a Saturday afternoon still surging through their veins.
Coaching, or management, is the obvious choice for those unwilling, or unable, to break ties with the beautiful game.
This is perfectly understandable. After all, 'stick to what you know best' is just about the most sensible advice you can heed.
Why, after so many years, suddenly decide that this football malarkey is not for you and start trudging off in a completely different direction?
For some this tactic may work, but they are the exception to the rule rather than the norm.
Most of those forced to accept that their playing days are over will turn their hand to teaching others, be it at senior, reserve, youth or Sunday League level.
Others may try their luck within the media, with their familiar faces welcomed by a public hungry for information, gossip and opinion.
After all - in theory - who is better to talk or write about football than an ex-pro?
Admittedly there are varying degrees of success when it comes to players turning their hand to an occupation outside of their comfort zone, but anyone with a bit of charisma and the ability to speak sense is always likely to be given a decent shot.
One of those hoping that he may be about to become the next Jamie Redknapp, Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier or even
Soccer Saturday new boy Dean Windass is experienced full-back Sam Stockley.
Opportunity
A niggling eye injury may have ended his career on the field, but the 32-year-old has no plans to cut all ties with the game.
Coaching badges remain a work in progress for the former Colchester, Wycombe and Port Vale man, as a sports journalism course at Staffordshire University has captured his imagination.
He has barely had time to contemplate where the next path in his life will take him, having played a full 90 minutes in his final outing for Vale on Saturday, but, as
skysports.com's Chris Burton found out, Stockley is not a man to let the grass grow under his feet.
"I'm doing a degree in sports journalism, that's something which really interests me," he said on the day his decision to retire was made public knowledge.
"I was in the changing room and the prospectus came through, talking about the opportunities to do it and it was something which just clicked with me.
"I don't mind talking a little bit and to talk about football, or any sport, just really interests me and it was an opportunity I wanted to take."
He added: "I work alongside the reporters at
Sky Sports in Manchester as part of my work placement, I get to shadow them and learn how they do things. I'm learning all the time.
"I spent a week last year down at
Soccer AM as well, which was fantastic for me. That's another option I would like to get involved with and maybe there is something there that could happen now I have got the chance.
"There are lots of exciting things that are bubbling away that could give me the opportunity to progress in that field.
"The ultimate goal for me would be to be a touchline reporter, where it gets flashed to me in the lower leagues and then it gets flashed away. Soccer Saturday and that sort of thing.
"I'm 32, and I'm a YTS again, but I'm going into it with determination and the will to learn."
Future
Stockley admits that planning for the future is something more professionals should concern themselves with, as it is impossible to tell when the career of a footballer will run its course.
"When you are young, and I totally understand it because I was like that, you are playing and striving for that one big move which might set you up financially and in your career," he said.
"But as the years go on that move doesn't happen and you have to look to other things.
"I was 31 when this decision to do a degree happened, and it was the right time for me. I think it is important at some point of your career that you look to do something other than football."
Stockley's decision to call time on his own career came as something of a surprise to many, given the fact that he was still playing for Vale on a regular basis, but he admits that it was a choice he had been planning for a while.
He said: "It wasn't spur of the moment. I took a hit, not this pre-season but last pre-season, and I struggled a bit with it last season and ended up having to have an operation in the summer.
"About five or six games into this season, against Macclesfield, I took another hit to the head and it started to show signs of it again.
"I went to see the specialist about three weeks ago and I got the report through. On his advice, he told me to finish at this sort of standard, as another blow could cause me serious trouble. I have had to take his advice and do it.
"I spoke to the manager (Micky Adams) on the Friday, because the report had just come through. After 16 years of playing, I said I owed it to myself to have one last game with the lads. So I played that game and then, after the game, came in and finalised that I was going to retire."
Vale have recently hit a decent run of form, going unbeaten through their last six fixtures in League Two, and Stockley feels he is bidding farewell to a side on the up.
"It's fantastic down there," he beamed.
Promotion
"The manager has really turned it around. In a short space of time he has been one of the best managers I have worked under. He has brought some top-quality players to the club and he's bringing the best out of them. I feel, personally, they are capable of reaching the play-offs, if not getting promoted, this year.
"I think it makes it a little bit easier that the team are doing well when I've had to sign off, because it's been a bit of an indifferent time for me at Vale. I've loved every minute of it, and I've had some good times, but it was a difficult season last season so to turn the corner, playing good football and getting results, it sits a bit better to say this is my time and I have to go."
As hinted at by Stockley, his 18 months at Vale Park have been among the most eventful of his distinguished career.
Upon joining the club in 2008 he was quickly installed as club captain, only to surrender that honour after losing his place in the side.
He was able to force his way back into the reckoning, but was transfer listed at the start of 2009/10 campaign, along with the entire Vale first-team squad, as an early slump left Adams fuming.
Despite the many dramas which have accompanied his time in the Potteries, Stockley insists he leaves Vale with fond memories.
"I have absolutely no regrets about being at Vale," he added.
"It's been some of the best months I have had in my career. I have had the honour of captaining the club, which was fantastic. They are a great bunch of lads there, really hard working, with a fantastic team spirit, which meant a lot to me to be involved in.
"This year they have taken another step and they will continue that until the end of the season because the manager will make sure of that. They have a great chance of really doing something. It's been a great time for me at Port Vale and it's just a real shame, and I'm obviously devastated, that it's come to an end at short notice."
As one door closes in his career Stockley is hoping another will soon open, with numerous avenues available for him to explore.
His services will unquestionably be in demand and a quick word of advice to Jeff Stelling and the boys could be 'watch your back', someone has got their eye on your job!
