Scott Phelan vows to take his chance

Kidderminster Harriers new-boy Scott Phelan has vowed to grab his second chance in football with both hands.

Phelan came to Aggborough at the end of last month on a one-year contract, returning to the full-time game after three years out.

The 23-year-old dropped into part-time football with Halifax in 2008 after leaving Bradford, having captained the Everton youth and reserve teams as a teenager.

But the midfielder got over 100 appearances under his belt coming through the Evo-Stik League pryamid with the Shaymen, who were promoted to the Blue Square North as champions last season.

Now Phelan has jumped up another level to the Blue Square Premier and believes he is a better player for his experiences in the lower leagues.

His new boss, Steve Burr, has long seen the potential of the Liverpool-born prodigy, who he has tried to sign twice before.

Burr nearly took him on loan from Everton when in charge of Northwich and tried to land him after moving to Stalybridge.

Now the Harriers boss has got his man and Phelan wants to repay his faith.

He said: "I think I have grown up a lot, I have experienced a lot in my football career despite only being 23. I have seen the other side of football and it's not pretty, but it opens your eyes a lot.

"At the time, it didn't seem ideal to go part-time but, looking back, it turned out for the best. It was a chance to gain some good experience and I think I have improved as a player.

"Being a full-time footballer is a privilege and I have been lucky enough to get a second chance, where a lot of people don't, and I am going to grab it with both hands."

Phelan joins a crop of youngsters at Aggborough improving under the guidance of Burr, the England C assistant boss.

Some have experienced similar setbacks as their new team-mate, such as Michael Briscoe and Tom Sharpe who failed to make the grade at Coventry and Nottingham Forest respectively.

And Phelan believes their determination to make a success of their careers can spur them all on to glory.

He said: "I have always had belief in my ability and I am sure most of the lads have had disappointments in their careers, I certainly have and there is people you want to prove wrong.

"That's what motivates me and I am sure that is what motivates a lot of the lads and, when you have been through certain things, it can create a good team spirit."