DAVID Syers has been pleased to have the opportunity to put himself in the shop window with Guiseley.

The 28-year-old midfieldman was released by Rochdale at the end of last season and has played in the friendlies against Leeds United and Knaresborough while training with the Vanarama National League club.

“I am now a free agent and more and more players have found themselves in this position in recent years,” he said. “It is the first time since I came into the professional game that I have not been at a club for pre-season.

“I did a lot of fitness work on my own but I had reached the limit of what I could do. You can’t do ball work on your own and it has been good to be able to do that with Guiseley.

“I have been training with them and playing in warm-up games which has given me valuable game time. It is an arrangement that suits both parties.

“I am playing things by ear. I am hoping that something will come up and I am offered a full-time contract by a Football League club. I am only 28 and I believe there are a few more years left in me at a professional level.

“I came into football late. I was 22 when I joined Bradford City and I have enjoyed every minute since. I have had promotions with Doncaster and Scunthorpe and would like to think I will get the chance to prove what I believe, that I can play 30 or 40 games a season.”

The two knee injuries he suffered at City and Scunthorpe halted his progress and an each occasion the manager changed while he was sidelined.

“I have no qualms that I do not have a God given right to be a professional footballer. I never planned to be one and I came from non-league football so I wouldn’t be against going back,” he said.

“If it is that I have to go into non-league football I am happy to start my career outside of football too.”

Syers, who has a degree in ancient history, admits that a lot has changed at Guiseley since his non-league days. “I went along to watch them play Barnsley and couldn’t believe just how good the playing surface now was. I had last been there in my days with Ossett Albion and the pitch was much different then.

“Mark Bower has invited me along to train and I thoroughly enjoyed playing against Leeds. We played some good football and I was happy with how it went, even though we lost 4-3, mind you, we were 3-2 up when I came off.

“It is important that I play games. The start of the new season is just over a week away and there will be clubs looking for players. As a free agent the transfer window doesn’t close for me. With clubs no longer able to make emergency loans in the Football League it may provide greater opportunities for free agents to be snapped up.

“I am optimistic that something will turn up, but if it is I have to start my career outside of football I am ready and willing to do that.”