Jordan Spence is back in football — unlike many of his contemporaries who played alongside him for England at several age groups.
Spence, who is delighted to be back in the Championship after joining Town on a deal through to the end of the season, was out of the game for eight months after being released by MK Dons following their relegation from the second tier.
He said: "I played for England from the U16s to the U21s. You go into it looking to go as far as you can but it’s a highly competitive process.
"Some of the boys I played with at the various levels are playing senior international football now — but there are some who aren’t even in the game any longer.
"That’s football, that’s the nature of the business. I was at West Ham from the age of 15 until I was 22.
"I played in the Premier League, had aspirations to play there more but the opportunity didn’t arise so I had to go elsewhere and try to work my way back in.”
During his time with the Hammers the Woodford-born defender had loan spells with Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe, Bristol City (twice) and Sheffield Wednesday. He also had two loan stints at MK Dons before joining them on a full-time contract, signing a two-year deal in August 2014.
He recalled what it was like to suffer the double blow last year of being relegated and then finding himself without a club. He added: "Football is like life at times, with a bit of the heat turned up on it.
"From the adulation of the season before and getting automatic promotion — nobody likes being on the end of more losses than victories — it was disappointing.
"It feels like a very long time ago now, particularly after what I’ve been through of late, but when things go so well you learn and get better.
"A lot of guys all around the country were in a similar situation — some that I already knew and others that I came to meet during the process of trying to find a new club.
"But I don’t think we’re going to get a lot of sympathy as professional footballers. It’s a tough profession but it’s also one of the best out there. I wouldn’t swap it for anything.
"I wasn’t looking for sympathy but an opportunity. I’ve found one here and I’m looking to make the most of it.
"I think I’d have to say that I haven’t fulfilled my potential and I’d have to take some level of responsibility for that.
"You start with the highest of aspirations and the situation I faced in the summer and since then has been tough.
"But it has made me hungrier to fulfil my potential, be even more consistent and be the player that I know I can be. I’ve spent enough months and days talking about it — now is the time to show what I can really do.
"I was quite a mature youngster but sometimes maturity can only come from experience. So hopefully I’ll use the experiences that I’ve had for the betterment of myself and Ipswich Town.”