IT’S FAMILY TIME NOW FOR ROSS
ROSS HANNAH says he signed for Gainsborough Trinity after thinking about his and his family’s long-term future.
The 32-year-old still had a year left on his Chester contract but following the Blues’ relegation the club needed to move the striker on.
One of Non-League’s most prolific goalscorers, Hannah had plenty of offers but he decided signing for Trinity, who he played for early on in his career, was the best fit as he looks to life after playing.
“I’d prepared to be at Chester for two years but events turned out differently,” he told The NLP. “Even this year going back, Bernard (Morley) and Jonno (Anthony Johnson) were absolutely brilliant with me and Kingsley (James, who has joined Guiseley) and I can’t fault them. But we all knew the situation and that was they still were looking to move us on because they needed to financially. We knew that.
“It was a case of, ‘Right, what do I want to do now? Do I want to pursue full-time and playing as high as I can?’ But then you’ve got to think about your future. In your 30s you should, I always have, thought about that.
“I still feel fit, don’t get me wrong. I still believe I can do it at that level and I did last year, so that wasn’t the case. But sometimes you’ve got to look at the bigger picture rather than basing it on being selfish, which you have to be for your career. Other things come into it now. That’s my family.
“Your day-to-day life when you are travelling so far away, you’ve got to leave at certain times – and I chose to do that – and it’s a strain on my partner. She’s had to do things she shouldn’t have to really, but that’s the sacrifices you make to be full-time.
“Then, out of the blue, the Gainsborough chairman messaged me to ask if I was interested in having a chat. I was open to anything then so I had a chat and he’s busted a gut to get me, which is good.
“I’ve turned some good teams down which is testament to Gainsborough. They’ve just got relegated themselves and they’re ambitious and want to bounce straight back up.
“That’s another thing. I don’t want to just go and be easy and have an easy ride. I know I am dropping a couple of levels but I’m dropping because it fits in with what I want to do next and it’s a good fit. They’re ambitious, they want to get back up and I want to help them do that.”
Hannah will form what looks to be a prolific partnership
with Damian Reeves for Lee Sinnott’s side, who were relegated from Step 2 last season.
Away from playing, he wants to keep building up his coaching for Mini Kicks, who he works for alongside Trinity midfielder Liam King.
The pair played at Matlock Town together and are now brother-in-laws after King married Hannah’s sister, with the striker as best man.
It was at Matlock that Hannah scored 52 goals in a season and led to a move to the Football League with Bradford City before playing for Grimsby and Barrow with two spells at Chester.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard to think that’s it for fulltime football now,” Hannah, said. “When it’s all you’ve ever wanted to do, the thought of not doing it is terrible. It’s hard because it’s your dream.
“But, on the other hand, do you stay full-time just to get another year’s contract? Some don’t pay through the summer now, especially at National League level, and it’s just unsecure.
“You’ve got to look at everything and see what’s right for you and your family. My partner has been brilliant. She’s always put my career first, understood what I wanted to do and where I wanted to do it.
“It comes to a point where you’ve got to think of other people and what will make everyone happy. Knowing my family is going to be alright is important.”