The uncertainty is over for Town new boy Jordan Spence after a difficult eight-month exile from football ended this week when he signed a contract until the end of the season.

Spence, 26, has recalled how he coped during his absence from the game that had been his life for a decade after he joined West Ham at the age of 15 and went on to play in the Premier League.

He joined MK Dons on a two-year deal that expired last summer and after their relegation from the Championship he was released.

He said: “It was really tough but I’m not one to sit here and feel too sorry for myself.

“I get to play professional football for a living so I have to put it into perspective. But it has been tough and I’m grateful for all the support I received from the people who are close to me.

“I’ve got a good circle of people who have helped me out. One of my best friends is a strength and conditioning coach at the University of East London. Training on your own in a local gym is tough but I’ve been able to be in a competitive environment with a lot of the athletes there and working hard.

“With the couple of weeks that I spent here on trial in September and October, plus at other places, I’ve been able to get my football in. I don’t feel rusty, I feel good to go and one thing I’ve always been able to do in my career is run around.

“I’ve also been blessed with a decent set of lungs so hopefully that will come in handy, particularly during the early part of my time here and getting back in.

“I’m really grateful to be able to take up this opportunity. It’s not easy when you are not affiliated to a particular football club and you are going along to clubs and having to impress.

“But I’ve managed to do that now. I’ve a number of people I have to thank and lots of people I’ve spoken to about the game — players, staff and previous coaches. I tried to stay as busy as I could throughout the period when I was unattached.

“I wouldn’t say there’s pressure when you go on trial. You become desensitised to going into a new environment with 20 lads and finding space within that.

“In terms of pressure, I know it’s a cliché, but we’ve got to train and play as if every day is our last day. It’s helped to show me that.

“I didn’t know when the next training session or the next match was going to be. Thankfully, that time has passed and I can look forward to some level of stability but I’ll be carrying on with the same sort of determination. I lost count of the trials I had and I don’t want to relive them.

“It’s all water under the bridge and experiences I can learn from. I spent a lot of time with a lot of good people and it wasn’t every trial that didn’t work out because people weren’t interested.

“Other things were involved. But I’m here now and really excited about the future. I always knew that I was going to play somewhere and I’m thankful that it’s here.

“I made quite a few sacrifices and put quite a few miles on the clock but that’s in the past and these are exciting times now. I tried to make the best of the situation I found myself in and now I just want to play.

“Things happen for a reason and if I can look back on that time and say it catapulted me on to do what I hope to be able to do I’m sure that the further away from it I get it will seem more like a positive lesson.

“It has been a time of self-discovery, looking in the mirror and self-motivation and I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to be here.”

Photo: TWTD

rexron added 12:05 - Jan 20 Good luck Jordan
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Alfiesboys added 12:05 - Jan 20 Welcome and good luck
4

Radlett_blue added 12:05 - Jan 20 Talks a very good game. Hopefully, he can play one as well.
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aardvaark added 12:11 - Jan 20 He used the word 'desensitised' - good enough for me matey! :)
4

jdtractor96 added 13:01 - Jan 20 He seems like a genuinely nice fella. Good luck Jordan!
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coolcat added 13:24 - Jan 20 Sounds keen and raring to go. Best of luck Jordan. :)
3

HALLSJ added 14:02 - Jan 20 Hopefully a newly found gem. Come on lad get yourself a full contract
4

NoelTheDub added 15:03 - Jan 20 Get a full contract yes if you get a game, good luck anyway jordan.
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brian_a_mul added 16:36 - Jan 20 Excellent, cant wait to see him at full tilt :) Definitely a longer term contract up for grabs if you do well for the remainder of the season. There is always the sense of optimism with fresh blood coming through the door! Best of luck Jordan.
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awayfan added 17:42 - Jan 20 Living in the MK area and consequently having seen Jordan play many times, I'm confident that if/when he gets an opportunity he will do well for us. A good footballer and athlete who won't let anyone down, whether it's at full-back, wing-back or centre-back.
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chripswich added 20:56 - Jan 20 Appreciate all that Jordan...all the motivation and fitness stuff bla bla...just need to know if you can leather a ball from our box up to theirs? Or at least up to their midfield (we don't have one you see)...anyway good luck when you get the chance of a hoof....chambo's your best mentor on the one, failing him? Well any of the others really. Good luck!
1

GiveusaWave added 22:04 - Jan 20 Good Luck Jordan. I am sure you will do well here. Well done on keeping your spirits and fitness up during such a long period of absence from the game. Shows commitment, enthusiasm and eagerness to succeed.
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