The summer of a trialist
Traditionally, it is up to players to organize their own training times, if they become free agents and are not quickly signed by another team.
The organization of tests would be up to players and agents. Some players would train with others in small groups to help themselves to stay in shape and strengthen their hopes to win a contract.
Since the summer of 2024, the association of professional footballers has led specialized camps for clubs without clubs.
The goal is to help adjust players and select the movements they deem correctly via a professional support network.
During its first round last year, around 120 players attended the camp, with around 90% to reach new clubs.
This year, attendance figures are about to reach the same levels – and 44 players have already joined new clubs.
“I immediately signed up,” said former Chelsea midfielder, Reading and West Brom, John Swift, who left the Baggies at the end of last season.
“If you have almost chosen clubs or talk to clubs, there is no need to sit at home and go through the gymnasium by yourself.”
Swift attended the first two weeks of the camp before signing a contract with the Natal Club Portsmouth.
The PFA’s out -of -contract camp also played in friendly matches against other teams, with nine games so far against Everton under 21, Leyton Orient and Newport County.
Dummett and Christie-Davies joined the camp this year after not having done so in 2024, both making round-trip excursions of 350 miles to attend every week.
For Dummett, it was the former teammate of Newcastle Dwight Gayle attending and winning a contract at Hibernian who inspired him to register.
“I know Dwight very well and I spoke to him when he was here last year,” said Dummett.
“He made a good movement at the back of this camp. I hope I can do the same.”
The other players to have attended this year’s camp and to earn contracts in new clubs include goalkeepers Asmir Begovic and Angus Gunn, while Morecambe signed five players from the PFA camp this summer.
