Jay Hart – from Blackburn to Bhutan...and beyond
DIARY OF A JOURNEYMAN JAY HART
STARTING his career in Blackburn Rovers Youth system, Jay Hart is something of a journeyman striker who, despite scoring goals wherever he played, became more famous for his part in a scandalous social media episode towards the end of the 2014-15 season whilst with Clitheroe.
Earlier this year, having notched over 30 goals for Longridge Town as they lifted the North West Counties League Division One crown, Hart took the opportunity to turn professional for the first time in his life, albeit 5,000 miles from his Lancashire home.
The striker signed for Thimphu City FC in Bhutan – a remote kingdom nestling in the Himalayas between India and China, described by many travel guides ‘as a country shrouded in mystery and magic’.
So how did the striker find himself playing full time football so far away from home?
“I was meant to come over a few years ago but the move fell through, my friend Josh Shepherd had kept in touch with the owner Hishey Tshering and when he invited Josh to coach the team, they offered me a contract,” Hart explained.
“I just couldn’t turn down the chance to play full time. It was everything I’ve ever wanted, to play football day in day out. It probably could have happened earlier in my life, but I didn’t really look after myself, so it was my own fault.”
Hart quickly adjusted to his new surroundings, even though some things took some getting used to.
“The biggest difference I found was that my day-to-day routine changed drastically,” he went on. “In England, playing part time football and working full-time, I would work from 8am until 4.30am then head home and ready myself for training or a game and then straight to bed afterwards.
Bhutan, I would go to the gym and do a workout, then spend some time relaxing before training in the evening.
“The five-hour time difference between Bhutan and home was annoying at times. I would be going bed or asleep just when my loved ones or close friends were finishing so not as much chance to talk to them as I’d like but we all messaged each other often.”
On the field, Hart played his part in the club finishing in a very creditable third place, notching 20 goals and nine assists, despite a two-week break in India to resolve visa issues and missing the last few games of the campaign.
Challenge
“We lost a couple of games early on, but then knuckled down to claim a few wins on the bounce,” he told. “I had to go to Siliguri in India to get my visa renewed, the team won the game I missed while in India, so I was sub for the next game, but I grabbed a goal off the bench to help us win a difficult away game.
“Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get close enough to the leaders but, over the season, I’m very happy with the amount of goals I scored and my allround play has definitely improved.
Hart’s impressive form in Bhutan earned him the nickname ‘The English Bull’, whilst also bringing him to the attention of Minerva Punjab FC who play in the Indian I-League.
He signed for the Chandigarh State outfit in time for the new campaign, playing his part as the Warriors picked up four points from their opening fixtures including a 3-1 win against champions Chennai City.
“The step up in standard caught me out in the first game, but I felt that I played much better against Chennai even though I did collect a booking for over celebrating our third goal,” he added. “This is going to be an absolutely huge challenge for me but one I will embrace and give everything I have to help the club.
“I will be forever grateful to all at Thimphu City, I had an amazing six months in Bhutan and everyone I crossed paths with became a special friend to me.”
It’s fair to say that the last few months have been life changing for the 29-year-old, who has spoken openly about the personal problems he suffered after the incident at Mossley in April 2015. Hart even contemplated suicide, but is forever thankful to those that helped him in that period.
He said: “During my bad times, I always had my family and close friends helping me out. They helped me massively but at the time I didn’t realise it fully and I am surprised I didn’t push them away through my actions and behaviour. It was something that played a massive part in me and my ex-girlfriend Claire breaking up when all she was doing was trying to help.
Options
“Also, Billy Kee (Accrington Stanley striker) was a big help to me. He messaged me a lot seeing how I was and what making me aware that help was out there available for me. I’ll always be grateful to all of them.”
Hart has a message for anyone that finds themselves in a similar situation.
“People that are feeling like I did, please speak out sooner rather than later,” he added. “You’re a human being at the end of the day, male or female everyone has feelings and emo“In tions. The more you openly talk about it, the easier it becomes. Do not hide it from anyone as when it gets worse you push people away who mean the most to you. Men especially, you’re no less of a man if you admit to having these issues.
“Nobody should ever feel alone, there are so many options for people feeling like this, please seek the help that is always there for you.”
As well as enjoying his football in his new surroundings, Hart feels that he has at last found peace within himself.
“Being in Bhutan has changed me massively as a person, I feel so much more confident within myself,” he added. “I would say to any footballer wanting to play abroad, whether that’s Bhutan or anywhere else, do it! As I have found out, it’s possibly a chance to open more doors for you.”