I’ve learnt from Town experience, says Hall
Freddy Hall insists he has no regrets after being told he will be released by English League Two side Northampton Town at the end of the season.Hall, who has featured just three times since joining the Cobblers last summer on a one-year contract, believes he has become a far better keeper training on a daily basis with ex-England shot stopper Tim Flowers.Flowers played for Premier League teams Blackburn Rovers and Southampton, making 11 appearances for England between 1993 and 1998.Although his chances were limited at Sixfields Stadium, Hall is adamant he made the most of his opportunity and hopes to find a new professional club this summer.“The experience at the club was great, this being my first professional club,” said Hall. “I truly want to thank Northampton Town for the experience, I was able to get daily goalkeeper training from a top English coach and former player in Tim Flowers.“It was great to be able to get a foot into the professional arena and see what it takes to make it in this professional environment.“I truly learned that the work you put in during training isn’t what it takes to get you to the top of the game, the important work is done hours after training in the gym or on the field.”Hall joins Andy Holt, Ryan Gilligan, Jason Crowe, Nathan Wedderburn, Lewis Young and Michael Built in leaving the club at the end of the term.The ex-Bermuda Hogges keeper started two games for Town, a 2-1 win over Morcambe and a 5-2 defeat against Southend.He made his third appearance for the club when he replaced the injured Chris Weale in Town’s 1-0 win against Wimbledon in February.The former St George’s man admitted that the sacking of Town’s previous manager Gary Johnson after eight months in charge was a contributing factor to his lack of playing time.“I feel I was placed in a hard situation,” Hall said. “The manager that signed me got sacked during the first half of the season, and the manager who replaced him, never fully had me in his plans.“Regardless of those misfortunes, I still feel I was able to grow as a player, and this entire situation has definitely helped me become stronger mentally.”With the Hogges season set to kick off later this month, Hall may be called upon to help the team, although he isn’t sure what his next move will be.“Right now, the next move in my career is most definitely to get back in the professional game,” he said.“I want to be in a situation where I have a good opportunity of playing, and finding security in my contract, as well as an enjoyable football environment. I am currently in talks, and within the next few weeks or so, things should be sorted.”On his departure, Town boss Aidy Boothroyd said: “Freddy also goes with our thanks and best wishes and we hope that he can get himself fixed up elsewhere.”