Golcar United defender Adam Field has really enjoyed his first few weeks at the club and is delighted to be playing alongside experienced pro Joe Skarz.
Field, 29, was in the Huddersfield Town Academy when Skarz was playing in the first team at the John Smith’s Stadium. Field started playing at the age of six and didn’t leave the club until he was 19 when he was released.
“I came through the academy system at Huddersfield and from 16 to 18 I was on a scholarship,” said Field. “I had a year as a professional before being released at 19.
“I really enjoyed being in the Academy and up until the age of 15 I was always playing in teams above my age grade.
“Unfortunately I then got injured which held me back a bit. When you get to 15 it’s an important time when you start to move up more into men’s football and it’s a time when the club looks at you more closely.
“Due to the fact I was injured I lost that time and never got it back and so when it came to them releasing me at 19 it didn’t come as much of a surprise. I’ve always struggled with ankle injuries and I think once you get that once it’s easy to hurt it again.”
On playing with Golcar player-coach Skarz, Field added: “I remember watching Joe play for Town in the first team. He’s such a professional player and you can see he is still like that now even at the age he is. I remember we used to go to the same gym when I was finishing at Town and he took his fitness very seriously.”
After being released Field went on to trial at a number of clubs lower down the pyramid and could have gone to America. However, he decided to stay in England.
“After being released I stayed in football but played at a lower league level. I was also offered a scholarship in America. I signed for FC United of Manchester.
“Off the pitch I was working with my dad in a road construction company but realised I couldn’t work those long hours forever. My girlfriend said I should go to uni so I applied and got in at the University of Huddersfield to study sports science, I then went on to do a PhD which I graduated with in 2021.
“After graduating I got a job in Manchester for the Manchester Institute of Health and Performance and I was the lead on a department there. It is owned by Manchester City but we didn’t just work with their first team though, we helped the women’s team and their academy.
“We also looked into how elite athletes can improve in performance. I have since left there and gone on to work as a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University teaching sports science and elite performance.
“At the time of being released from Town I was like a lost soul really. If you would have said to me back then this is what you are going to do, I would have never believed you. Sports science has come a long way and is so big and important now. No one knew about research back then.”
Back on the pitch Field has gone on to win promotion with Brighouse Town and Liversedge FC from the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, the league Field now plays in with Golcar.
Field is very confident the club can do well in this division and is pleased to have signed for the Weavers after thinking about hanging his boots up for good.
He said: “I won promotion out of this league with both Brighouse Town and Liversedge. I was thinking about quitting, to be honest. My partner Lauren and I have a new-born baby daughter Sophia and it’s a busy time.
“I was injured at the back end of last season and so thought about hanging up my boots. However, Golcar contacted me and I know a lot of people at the club and it interested me so I decided to sign.
“The club is set up really well. It’s difficult at this level to be as professional as they are, which is something which has surprised me. Training is good, the coaching staff are prepared and organised and the lads turn up and do things properly. I have been involved with clubs who have that professional element and Golcar definitely have that.
“We have some experienced players in this squad that have either played at this level or higher and that will really help us. We also have some good young players who are very talented. We have made a decent start to the season. I’m not saying we’ll be challenging to win the league or anything but I’d like us to push those teams at the top.
“We just have to be more consistent in our performances and we want to go on a run this season and if you do that you can soon find yourself at the higher end of the table.”
