Crosby local Tom Moore has become accustomed to deadline day bedlam and transfer sagas.
At the beginning of last year, Moore was moments away from putting pen to paper on a one-year-deal at Scottish Championship club Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The club’s chairman pulled the plug on the deal however, amid concerns the club would suffer financially as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The former Marine man spent two weeks training with The Highland’s club and was even given a squad number at Calley.
The 21-year-old was promised that the deal would be revisited when the time was right, but instead, he has now signed his first professional deal elsewhere.
Last week the towering central defender signed for Welsh Premier Champions Connah’s Quay, but even this move didn’t come without its difficulties.
“I was over the moon to sign the contract. With what happened last year it was a bit of a mad one, I just wanted to get it done as quickly as possible really”, said the ball playing centre half.
Everything was in place for the deal to be completed smoothly. That was until half an hour before the 11pm deadline when Connah’s Quay chairman, Tom Houghton, realised that Moore was still registered at non-league club Widnes.
This meant it was now a race against time whether the deal would be completed or not.
“I received a text from the secretary saying ‘we have a problem, I can’t guarantee this deal will go through’.
“That’s when the doubt comes in thinking is this going to be the same as last year?
“Luckily enough we were able to get it over the line”.
He admitted there were other clubs chasing his signature, including National League North outfit, AFC Fylde and Scottish League One club, Forfar Athletic, but The Nomads made the process quick and easy for someone signing their first professional deal.
“There was interest from other clubs but within about three or four days I had played for Connah’s Quay and had signed a contract.
“I think I’ve settled in quite quickly in the short time I’ve been here.
“I know one of the lads here as well which makes it that little bit easier, especially coming in late in the season”.
He has predominantly been involved in the non-league set up so far in his career, including spells at Marine, Widnes and even a season in Sweden with Ytterhogdals IK.
The number 14 admitted he has been blown away by the quality on show at his new club and the standards set by manager, Andy Morrison.
“The manager and the training sessions are demanding.
“This is something I like because it keeps the standards high and it pushes you that little bit more when in training and then you bring that in when it comes to match day”.
🗣📽@AndyMorri5on "I'm delighted that we've been able to get @TomMoore05 in" pic.twitter.com/DdDpjuucRz
— Connah's Quay Nomads FC (@the_nomads) February 3, 2021
At 6’4, the former Everton season ticket holder is technically gifted and is primarily a centre half but can operate as a holding midfielder as well.
His ability to thread balls through the eye of a needle and start attacks from deep is something he feels attracted the attention of many clubs.
“I think the way I play and my style can bring composure from the back, trying to break lines into the midfield and the strikers”.
“I try to watch all the top centre backs and try to take little things from them and try and implement them into my game.
He compared his ability to one player in particular, claiming he sees similar traits in his own game.
“I look at John Stones because I think I’m quite a similar player to him with the style he has.
“Picking little things up from him when on the ball trying to play out is good, especially now with the modern style of football”.
The Welsh Premier League has been mothballed since December 22nd and so far no restart date has been provided.
For now, Moore must wait a little longer before making his competitive debut.
