Cassidy relishing Cypriot chance

In the last few years Matthew Cassidy has been making his way up the ranks with Bolton Wanderers FC and the Republic of Ireland youth teams. So it was something of a surprise this summer when he opted to join Cypriot club Enosis Neon Paralimni FC.

Cyprus chance
Born in Blackpool to an Irish mother and English father, Cassidy signed for Liverpool FC as a nine-year-old before a move to Bolton at Under-14 level. He seemed to be heading for a Premier League breakthrough but a change of manager late in 2007 altered his fortunes and left him contemplating moves to lower-division teams Northampton Town FC and Doncaster Rovers FC before the recommendation of a Bolton official who once played in Cyprus meant a new direction.

Bolton exit
"Up until Christmas [2007] I was with Bolton but after Sammy Lee left, I fell out of favour under new manager Gary Megson," the 20-year-old told uefa.com. "After being told that it wasn't working out with me, I was allowed to go on trial at several other clubs in England. I went to Northampton and Doncaster and was offered a contract by Doncaster. But then Peter Farrell from Bolton told me about the prospect of playing in Cyprus. He had played here and recommended I come out to Cyprus because he knew somebody there who knew a club. I did, liked what I saw and signed with Paralimni."

'Very professional'
Instead of a northern English winter Cassidy now lives a ten-minute drive from the resort of Ayia Napa, but he is not there for a holiday and has been impressed by the level of Cypriot football with Anorthosis Famagusta FC making it to this season's UEFA Champions League group stage. "I was very surprised by the standards of the club," he said. "It's very professional, as are the training sessions. I really like the town and it's a good place to start up your career because there good prospects of moving up if you play. Also the league has improved a lot and you only have to see that a Cypriot team played in this year's Champions League."

Frustration
However, it has not been plain sailing at Enosis, who lie ninth in the 14-team league, just two points above the relegation zone, and are on to their third coach of the season with the December appointment of Eduard Eranosyan. Cassidy has managed just a couple of substitute appearances, making his league debut in a 7-1 loss at leaders AC Omonia, but the arrival of the Armenian coach has given him hope of a breakthrough. "I feel I am ready and am just waiting, really," Cassidy said. "I hope the new coach gives me a proper chance. I like the look of him because he has good authority and I like the training sessions."