Manager Gary Ablett looks for fresh start

By Paul Garrity
BBC Radio Merseyside

Ablett was Liverpool reserves boss before joining Stockport in 2009

Former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett enjoyed many successes in his footballing career and he has the honour of being the only player to win the FA Cup with both the Reds and Blues.

His love for football continued after retiring from the game and he decided to move into coaching and in July 2009 he was appointed as manager of Stockport County.

But his time at Edgeley Park did not mirror the path his playing career took, as the club had its fair share of financial problems and had a spell in administration before he joined.

That left Ablett and his backroom staff having to work on a shoestring budget and led to the side being relegated from League One last season.

Then on 17 June, after a season of struggle and many ups and downs, Ablett left the club but insists it is an experience he can look back on with fondness.

"I have to say until the last six weeks of the season I enjoyed the job," Ablett told BBC Radio Merseyside. "It was a great education as I didn't spend a penny, but I didn't have a penny to spend to be fair.

Ablett moved across Stanley Park from Liverpool to Everton in 1992

"The disappointing thing was we went into the job and a lot of things that were promised. But it was quite clear early on that they wouldn't materialise.

"I felt I employed a really good staff and people I could trust. But things aren't right when the staff have to delve into their own pockets to pay for stuff.

"I have to say on a whole we didn't play as well as I thought we could have after those opening games but it was a great learning experience and a great education. I can't wait to do it all again."

The gulf in wages between the top of the game and the the lower levels is often a cause of debate and Ablett has first-hand knowledge of the problems that exist financially.

Now out of work, he is now having to deal with the loss of income personally and his family are now having to feel the burden.

But being someone who has known nothing other than football from a young age makes it hard to move on and try a different trade. The former league title winner with Liverpool says he still has high hopes of getting another job in the near future.

"It's not easy for me being out of work, but I think it hurts the family a bit more than anything," Ablett said. "That uncertainty of not knowing where the next pay packet is coming from.

"I've been associated with Liverpool since I was 14 years of age as a schoolboy. I never wanted to do anything else and I'm 44 now and I don't want to do anything else.

"It is probably down to the fact I can't do anything else to be fair, I'm not qualified to do anything else. But I love the game, I love what it has provided for me and my family.

"Hopefully that will continue in the future. I'd like to hope I'll get my foot in the door somewhere again in the not too distant future and have another good go."