A FOOTBALLER dropping from the professional game to a part-time level midway through a season will always raise an eyebrow or two, especially when the player in question is just 28.

But for latest Poole Town recruit Josh Staunton the decision was as straightforward as they come.

The former Yeovil Town captain left the Glovers in December, stepping up a league to join National League Boreham Wood, but Staunton quickly found the travelling between Hertfordshire and his Somerset home placing too large a stress on him and his family.

“I think life in general steers you in certain directions,” explains to the Daily Echo.

“I had an opportunity to stay in full-time football a long way away from home, traveling a long way across the country all week and spending a lot of time away from my fiancée and my daughter.

“I think I've given a lot to the game.

“You sacrifice from a young age, and I feel like it's the right time for me to try and steer my journey in a different direction.

“It's a good fit here for me and for both parties, it suits the direction my life's going in. I think I add a lot of value to what direction Poole Town want to go in.

“I'll be honest, a big factor for me is I want to get the real enjoyment and love back for the game.

“I know a few other players here, and I think it's an opportunity for me to just come and hopefully play with more of a smile on my face and find that real love back for the game, which has kind of been driven out of me.”

Bournemouth Echo: Josh Staunton in action on his Poole debut Josh Staunton in action on his Poole debut (Image: Ian Middlebrook)

In combination with his semi-professional playing duties at Tatnam Farm Staunton has launched a gardening business, Staunts on the Grass.

Staunton made his debut for the Dolphins in a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Hayes & Yeading, but the former England C international believes Poole can turn their recent form around and get their play-off push back on track.

The 28-year-old is prepared to put in the hard yards himself to help Poole climb back up the league table.

He restarted: “You almost have to leave your pride when you're walking away from full time football, you leave that ego on the side.

“I’m not coming here thinking I'm too good for it.

“It'll be a case of knuckling down for the cause and hopefully being successful for Poole.”

“I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it.

“Hopefully I can add some value to what's already in the dressing room and what's already at the football club.

“And in an ideal world, I can add a little bit of experience and knowhow maybe from a higher level and drive us towards the playoffs towards the end of season, and see where we go from that.”