Imagine being a seasoned footballer, suddenly finding yourself without a club, and realizing the game has moved on without you. This is the stark reality Adam Reach faced after leaving West Brom in 2024, a period he now reflects on with a mix of humility and determination. In an exclusive interview, the Lincoln left-back opens up about the seven-month void that followed his contract expiration, a time that tested his resilience and forced him to confront the evolving landscape of football.
Reach’s final two seasons at West Brom were marred by injuries, limiting him to just three starts in 2022-23 and five in 2023-24. By the time he departed The Hawthorns at 30, with over 400 appearances under his belt, he assumed his experience would make him an attractive prospect. But here's where it gets controversial: the modern game, increasingly favoring younger talent and overseas players, left him on the sidelines, a casualty of shifting club strategies.
“I was a little bit naïve,” Reach admits to Sky Sports, reflecting on his initial optimism. “I thought, with my Championship experience, a club would just come along.” Yet, as clubs prioritized players they could develop and sell for profit, veterans like Reach found themselves overlooked. And this is the part most people miss: the mental toll of being a free agent, especially for someone who had played consistently for over a decade. “Sitting on the sofa watching Soccer Saturday instead of being on the pitch was really difficult,” he confesses. “I hope I’m never in that situation again.”
During this hiatus, Reach attended the PFA pre-season camp, a lifeline for free agents, but opportunities remained elusive. He trained alone, maintaining his fitness, yet the absence of match-day intensity and team camaraderie weighed heavily. “The mental side was the hardest,” he explains. “The lack of routine, purpose—it’s a constant battle to stay motivated.”
However, this period also offered rare introspection. “It reminded me how much I love football and how fortunate I am,” Reach says. “It reignited my hunger to prove people wrong and show I’m not finished.” His perseverance paid off in February 2025 with a short-term deal at Wycombe, where he played 15 games and helped them reach the League One play-offs. After another stint at the PFA camp, he signed with Lincoln, where he’s now thriving.
At 32, Reach has become a cornerstone of Lincoln’s promotion push, contributing four goals and three assists from left-back. His one-year deal was extended early, a testament to his impact. “It’s gone better than I expected,” he admits. “I feel like I’ve been here for years, not just six months.”
Lincoln, currently on a 14-game unbeaten streak, are vying for the League One title. Boldly, Reach doesn’t shy away from the ‘P’ word: “Promotion is the aim, and we’re in a fantastic position.” Yet, he remains grounded, focusing on one game at a time while keeping the bigger picture in mind. “If we achieve promotion, it would be the best moment of my career,” he declares.
But here’s the thought-provoking question: In an era where youth and profit dominate, is there still a place for experienced players like Reach? His journey suggests there is, but it’s a debate worth having. What do you think? Is football losing something by sidelining veterans? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
