There comes a point in every player's career where a difficult decision has to be made.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard found himself in this position when announcing his Anfield exit in 2015, ending his lifelong association with the club. For most individuals, however, defining calls of this nature are often required far earlier on in their development.
This proved to be the case for Liverpool-born midfielder Neil Danns, who signed for the Reds at the age of 12 before leaving at the age of 16. Part of a select group invited to spend two years at the FA's National School of Excellence in Shropshire, Danns was not offered the professional deal he had been holding out for upon his return to Merseyside.
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“At a young age I was selected to go to the FA's National School of Excellence at Lilleshall and had to live there between the age of 14 and 16, with the likes of Joe Cole and Jermaine Defoe," he recalled during an interview with the ECHO.
"When I left Lilleshall, that was the time to sign scholarships. At the time, I had been selected in the best 16 in the country. A few of the lads in my age group were offered professional deals and I was offered a scholarship by Liverpool. That disheartened me at the time because I'd been at Lilleshall and others were being offered professional deals.
"The opportunity then came to go to Blackburn Rovers. If I look back on it, do I regret it? Probably, yes, because you never know what could have happened if I stayed. On the other hand, it could have gone in the wrong direction because moving out of Liverpool at that age and being away from distractions could have possibly helped me."
Blackburn Rovers were a Premier League side at the time of Danns' arrival in 2000, managed by none other than Liverpool legend Graeme Souness. Working under the Scot came as a major boost for the now 39-year-old, who grew up hearing stories of the five-time First Division winner and had hope of replicating such performances in his own game.
“He was a hero of mine. Everyone knows how much of a legend Souness is at Anfield and to go and play under him and be given a debut was an unbelievable honour," said Danns.
"He was what you would expect: no-nonsense, everyone respected him and pulled no punches. He was brilliant with me as he gave me my debut. I had never been in a first-team squad and then he gave me my first start against CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Cup, which came out of the blue, and I then made my Premier League debut four days later against a Leeds side that was unbelievable at the time, with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Harry Kewell and others. I have nothing but high praise for him."
Danns remained at Ewood Park until 2004 to take on a new challenge at Colchester United for two seasons. The Guyana international continued his career at Championship level for the likes of Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Leicester City, followed by stints in League One with Bury and Tranmere Rovers.
With over 500 EFL appearances, four promotions and one Welsh Premier League title on his CV, the boyhood Red is still going strong at recently reformed Macclesfield FC as he approaches his 40th birthday.
The chance to shape up against the Reds arose on three occasions during his playing career and, despite being denied a professional deal by the club, those fixtures were approached with a sense of pride rather than resentment.
“There was never any bitterness towards Liverpool as it was my decision to leave," he explained. "Liverpool are my boyhood club, I’m a Red through and through. It was always an honour to play against them, which I did at Birmingham and twice for Bolton. I was playing against the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fowler - people that inspired me to get where I was made it a privilege."
Part of a Bolton side that so nearly knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup during the 2014/15 season, the Trotters were cruelly denied a place in the fifth round of the competition when the Reds levelled through Raheem Sterling and completed their late comeback in the fourth-round replay courtesy of a 91st minute Philippe Coutinho wonder strike.
Liverpool had been held to a goalless draw at Anfield by the Whites 12 days earlier courtesy of a dogged display by the visitors, resulting in Danns being recognised for his efforts in surprising circumstances after the full-time whistle.
“I didn’t go up and ask anyone for a shirt. I went down the tunnel and Coutinho was waiting at our changing rooms, came up to me to give me his shirt," revealed Danns. "I was playing up against him that night so I’m not sure if that was a sign of respect that he appreciated the game I had because we held them to a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
"For me, that was absolutely amazing as I was a big supporter of Coutinho and it was really good of him to show that level of respect. He just said ‘Well played’, shook my hand and gave me his shirt. I gave him mine, which was probably in his mind to be used for his dog’s basket or something similar! His shirt is hanging up on my wall, though."
Now entering the latter stages of his career, Danns has certainly considered following a similar path to that of his former Bolton team-mate Jay Spearing. Working at the Academy in a player-coach role, Spearing is able to combine the best of both worlds at a place where he, too, learned his trade as a youngster.
Danns took on a role aiding the development of the under-13s and under-14s in September 2020 and remains eager to pursue opportunities of this nature on a full-time basis once the time comes to hang up his boots for good.
“It was brilliant doing that over the last couple of years, working with the younger players and being around the place," he said of his time at the Academy.
"There are still a lot of people there that were there when I was starting out, the likes of Steve Heighway and Dave Shannon. There are some fantastic coaches there and Alex Inglethorpe has been fantastic for the Academy. This year it has been difficult to maintain my commitment due to playing at Macclesfield but it is something I would like to pursue further down the line. Currently, I coach the development squads at Rainhill on a day I'm free each week.
“I have spoken to Jay Spearing and he actually coaches my son’s team, which is mad! He trains with my son every day and I think it is fantastic. He has got so much experience, has come through the Academy and played in the first-team. He can be an inspiration for the young lads and I know my son is learning a lot from him at the minute."
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