Interview with Joe Brennan

Take us on that journey from when the injury first picked up until the moment you was advised to retire?

I did my other knee when I was at Bradford and had trouble with that for god knows how long. I struggled last season, January was when I first injured my right knee and then I came back too soon because I was eager to get back playing. You feel like you can run and kick a ball again but when you come back it’s just too soon.

So then I had six months off it, came in at pre-season and felt good, when I was out running I felt fit. But then I had a bit of a wobble in training in July and got a brace for my knee. After that I got back into the team and got quite fit. But then came the game I did it, I scored and 2 minutes later I felt the pop and that was it.

I knew in my head I had to stop, the doctors were telling me I need 3 or 4 operations anyway and best case scenario will be I can do some sort of sport again. It was 5 percent chance I could play again in 3 or 4 years but I had to be mature with my decision and in the future if I want to have kids and stuff and do activities with them, but if I keep playing and end up in a wheelchair because I can’t do anything with my knees then I won’t be able to give them the best future and I won’t be able to give myself the best future sat in a chair. I grew up a little bit and made the choice, I haven’t been forced to retire really its more of an option.

What role do you play in Emleys squad now?

A lot of man management and player coaching, so if one of the players needs an arm round them to get them going a bit. I pull people aside in the warm up and go over what we’ve been working on like pressing and stuff, and go through it a little bit more with them because when it comes from a player its different from when you hear it from a manager.

So what is next for Joe Brennan?

Obviously, Emley. I want to be involved with the club for years to come because they’ve looked after me while I’ve been injured. When I left Bradford, I sort of fell out of love with football, but coming up here you soon get it back. It’s a family club and you get that vibe that everyone looks out for each other, fans, staff, volunteers- everyone’s got each other’s backs and I want to give something back to them.

If I can do a bit of coaching with the lads and help get promotion then I’ll do that, and hopefully get my badges and get into management. Obviously at 21 you’re not going to be managing many teams so that might be in years to come, but I’ll pick up coaching at junior teams and hopefully work my up. But you never know, in five years’ time I might have to dust my boots off and give it another go when im daft enough to do so, we will see.

Updated 07:45 - 1 Sep 2019 by ollie mudd