Avery John, who incurred the wrath of all in Longford Town by breaching his contract with the club last year, has resurfaced at English Second Division side Wycombe Wanderers, where he underwent a trial this week.
John became one of the top defenders in the eircom League through spells with Shelbourne and Bohemians, and after failing to secure a work permit to sign for English League side Colchester United in 2002, returned to Ireland to sign for Longford.
However, he was soon caught up in controversy, and Longford were deducted nine points for alleged irregularities regarding the Trinidad & Tobago man’s registration, although the penalty was later lifted on appeal.
Last year, he obtained permission to attend the bedside of his sick mother back in the Caribbean – but was found to have appeared for South African side Orlando Pirates during his spell away from Longford, and was dismissed by the Flancare Park club in August.
John was threatened with a worldwide Fifa ban for breach of contract but, after more than six months out of the game, he has resurfaced in England, where he had a trial with Wycombe this week, playing for the Chairboys’ reserves in a 4-0 defeat to a strong Southampton second string.