After being released by Premier League side Hull City in January, Tony Warner endured a frustrating six-week period without a club.
He feared he might not play again this season as his search for somewhere new to settle proved fruitless during that period.
The Liverpudlian goalkeeper’s agent rang around a host of clubs in the north-west in an attempt to find the 35-year-old somewhere to train.
So after a difficult spell, it was a big relief to join Charlton until the end of the season two weeks ago.
“I finished at Hull in January and then it was strange for me,” said Warner. “My agent called a number of different managers just to ask if I could go and train with them.
“I wasn’t after any money or anything - I just wanted to be able to keep myself in a good condition. That way people can also see what you’re about and they know you’re not some kind of joker.
“I was available on a free transfer outside of the window but I quickly realised that people have their own agendas and their own concerns.
“For whatever reason it didn’t work out for me so I spent about six weeks training hard in the gym. In some ways that was good because it means I’m in decent shape physically. But it was difficult.
“I moved back to Liverpool to be around my family. I’m glad to be in London again now, though. I’ve spent a lot of my playing career down here and it’s a place where I feel at home.”