BAGGIE HAS BAGGED A BIG MOVE
ABDULAI Baggie says it is time for him to finally push on and prove his worth after landing a big move up to Eastleigh.
The Sierra Leone international faced life in the the football wilderness after being told he was “not wanted” at Tranmere Rovers under former manager Micky Adams.
But from being released by Poole Town and made to train alone, Baggie has made the most of his second chance under Mark Molesley at Weymouth.
In three years on the Dorset coast, he helped the Terras to the Southern League Premier Division title and into the National League South play-off places in their first season back at the level before the Covid crisis kicked in.
Last week, Baggie informed Weymouth that he wasn’t willing to compete in the play-offs due to concerns surrounding the pandemic, further fast-tracking his move to the Silverlake Stadium this week.
“I had an amazing time at Weymouth,” the pacey winger told The NLP. “They gave me the platform to show people what I can do and I am extremely thankful for that.
“For me, it was the right time to step up. With everything going on, playing in the play-offs with them was not a risk that I could take unfortunately.
“Signing for Eastleigh is something I am very pleased with. My aim is now to push on and hopefully get back into the Football League. Hopefully I can take that journey with them.”
Baggie insists joining the Spitfires is just reward for his efforts to turn his life around and fulfils his dream of playing professional football again.
“The goal is always to keep playing and keep progressing, no matter what age you are,” he added. “I am 28 now and because of what has happened at past clubs, I still feel ambitious, more than ever before.
“Football can be a sad and tricky business, and if your face doesn’t fit then you won’t be involved, it doesn’t matter how hard you try. That was the case with me at Tranmere, with the new gaffer coming in.
“I was told that I was not wanted at Tranmere. It was difficult because I started to doubt myself.
“I was training on my own there at one point which was hard enough, and I was still adamant to play for the club. The way I was treated really hurt me and I lost my love for football.”
Indeed, the former Reading scholar admits he nearly gave up on football after feeling down and depressed but things slowly started to look up.
“I hated football for a while after leaving, didn’t know whether or not to give up football or to keep persevering with it,” he explained.
“My next proper move was to Poole Town, I didn’t enjoy it there either to be honest.
“Weymouth came in for me after I was released and have enjoyed some of my best times there as a footballer.
“Now, it is time for a new challenge with Eastleigh and I cannot wait to get going, whenever that may be.”
Baggie will be joined at the Silverlake next season by Joe Tomlinson, who arrives from Hungerford Town. The 20-year-old fullback captained the Crusaders in National League South and was voted the League’s Young Player of the Season last term.
On joining Ben Strevens’ side, Tomlinson said: “I’m really happy to have signed here.
“I can’t wait to get started hopefully soon and get training with the lads.”