FC Halifax Town: “I think this will be a big year for me” - Earing can’t wait for new season to start

The midfielder joined Town from Bolton last summer, but only made 12 first-team appearances and was sent out on loan to Spennymoor and Farsley.

The 21-year-old is pragmatic when reflecting on the season, and it sounds like his playing attributes have been enriched with a similar level of maturity over the last 12 months.

“It was a frustrating season but I think looking back on it now, overall, it was good for me in terms of my development,” he said.

“I think the loans helped me. When I was on the bench for Halifax, I’d be looking at players in my position, other players, and gathering my thoughts about how they play in this league and how I can improve myself and try to adapt to this league.

“I’ve come from an academy background so I was used to getting the ball down and playing, but I think I learned in this league sometimes it’s just got to go round the corner, and you’ve got to do the ugly side more.

“Looking back now I think it was a good season in terms of my development and I think it’s made me an overall better player.

“At the time it was frustrating not getting the game-time I wanted, but I think it’s pushing me on for next season and I just can’t wait for next season now.”

Earing’s introduction to life at The Shay saw the manager who signed him, Jamie Fullarton, leave and be replaced by Pete Wild all within a month of him signing.

“I came into the club under Jamie. He’d seen my progression at Bolton and wanted to have a full season out of me, see how I’d play, and I thought I was going to be playing most games week-in, week-out, that’s why I wanted to move to the club, to get first-team action,” Earing said.

“But obviously he resigned, but I had all respect for Jamie bringing me in, he was a top manager from what I’d seen in training and in the game against Farsley.

“When the gaffer came in, it was a new way of doing things but the lads got used to him quickly and I just wanted to showcase my talent.

“I think he knew of me at Bolton, but I needed to prove to him that I should be a first-team player.

“He saw in his eyes that I wasn’t ready, which I might not have been. I don’t think I was ready.

“It was frustrating for me because I thought I was ready, but with his experience, I think he knew I wasn’t.

“So leaving me out, introducing me with 10, 20 minutes to go, I think that slowly made me realise the difference in the league and how I had to play differently.

“When I got sent out on loan, I think it really helped me in terms of the men’s game, the ugly side of it, and I just feel like it’s made me a better player.

“I feel like I’m more of a complete player now, but I’ve got to show that to everyone.”

Earing feels Wild and assistant boss Chris Millington are the right people to be guiding him next season.

“I think they made the right decision in terms of me not being ready for a starting spot last year,” he said.

“They thought I needed to go and play a few games in the league below, where I felt like I understood the game better, and it made me a better player.

“In training they’re always talking to me and telling me they want more because they know that I’ve got potential.

“He’s said to me that I’m in his plans so I think I’ve just got to keep working hard and hopefully they’ll trust me and put me into the starting 11.”

After a year spent mostly out of the Town first-team, and after a substitute appearance in Halifax’s play-off defeat at Boreham Wood, Earing is chomping at the bit for the new campaign to start.

“When we came back into training (for the play-offs), I came back flying, I thought I was standing out in training and I was ready,” he said.

“It was cut short, when we got knocked out, I didn’t want it to end, and I felt like I was playing good.”I just can’t wait for the season to begin now and get training.

“For me, I just want to be playing. I don’t think the fans saw enough of me last season so they might have a vague opinion of me, but I don’t think they’ve seen the best of me yet because I was nowhere near what I can play last year.

“I think this year will be a big year for me. I just can’t wait to get going.

“A year ago, I thought I was alright as a player, but my eyes have been opened.

“I thought I was all that in the Championship, but coming down to the National League, I felt I was nowhere near it.

“This league, it’s a great league don’t get me wrong, there’s so many great players who could play in the league.

“This year has been a massive learning curve and I feel like I’ve adapted and brought different elements into my game which I didn’t think I had.

“I knew I wasn’t going to get enough time on the ball when I came in but I underestimated it when I was involved in the games.

“It’s a top, top standard.”

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