Blues midfielder Jon Nolan has revealed he spent time signing on the dole early on in his career having been released by hometown club Everton, where he had come through the academy.
Having been let go by the Toffeemen, Nolan was set to join Watford until a knee injury scuppered the move and led to a spell of unemployment.
"That was the longest year of my life,” the 26-year-old, who signed for Town from Shrewsbury in the summer, recalled in an interview in Saturday’s match programme.
"Everyone who knew me would say ‘Jon Nolan is going to be a footballer’ and there I was signing on the dole. I was embarrassed really.""
"They were dark, dark times in my life. I was going in to sign on with a hat on so that I wouldn’t get recognised by anyone.
"I went on trial to a few Welsh non-League clubs but I just couldn’t get going with my knee. I was going out drinking and all that every weekend and that didn’t help.
"I’d sign on, get the money and go and blow it over the weekend. It’s depressing even talking about it now.
"""I can remember the last time I walked out of the dole office, I was signing for Stockport a week later, it was probably the best feeling of my life - knowing I wouldn’t be going back in there again. It was unbelievable.”
After his spell with the Hatters, Nolan spent time with Lincoln, Wrexham, Grimsby and Chesterfield before his spell with the Shrews. He has made 24 starts and three sub appearances for the Blues, scoring three times.