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Finn O’Mara picked up the man-of-the-match accolade on Saturday after a tough workout against the Gills – his former team.
O’Mara left Gillingham for Folkestone in October 2018, giving up the full-time game for the chance to get matches under his belt and develop as a footballer.
It’s been so far, so good for the player who spent six years at Priestfield and made his first team debut at Blackburn’s Ewood Park, but the desire to return to full-time football has never been stronger.
“I am hungrier than ever,” said the 20-year-old centre-half.
“It’s been tough going from full-time to part-time but I have enjoyed it at Folkestone. I’ve got a job and responsibilities but I said to the manager Neil Cugley, if there was a chance to play full-time football again I would do it for free.
“Some players drop out of full-time football, they get a job on decent money and are earning enough so they don’t need it but for me, football has to be the main job.
“I am hungry to get back into full-time football and I say to the boys that I am coaching, if you want to make it you have to take it serious. It’s okay to enjoy it, to have a laugh, but when I see them messing around I remind them that people would swap an arm and a leg for the chance that they have.”
O’Mara is coaching kids from reception class upwards, helping some of them get on the Gillingham academy set-up, just like he did several seasons ago.
He’s had to take a step backwards to get regular football but he’s well placed to return. Johan ter Hurst made the move from Folkestone to then-Premier League Hull City in 2014 and three years ago the club helped Harry Smith into the pro game, as he joined Millwall.
Smith had featured for the Gills in a practice match prior to that move and O’Mara has been on trial himself since leaving Priestfield, training with Fleetwood Town last January.
The move didn’t work out but it gave O’Mara plenty to think about.
He said: “They didn’t sign me on but they said I would remain on their radar and it was good for me to do. It just wasn’t the right time.
“I had been out of the full-time environment for a while and it was interesting to be back in it. That trial made me even more hungry to get back.”
O’Mara has another year’s contract at Folkestone and he’s determined to have another good season as he looks to put himself in the shop window.
The Gills won last weekend’s pre-season game 4-0.
“I reckon they will do well next season, with the players Steve Evans is bringing in,” said the defender. “They’ve got a good chance of doing something.”
