FORMER Wanderers defender Adam Chicksen admits he considered quitting football completely after spending several months without a club.

The 28-year-old full-back was released at the UniBol in January after the club opted to loan in Hull City’s Brandon Fleming.

Chicksen failed to find another club until the start of this month when he signed a one-year deal with National League side, Notts County.

During an uncertain time, including the national lockdown, the former MK Dons and Bradford City defender began to ponder whether he should consider employment outside the game.

But after securing a deal with County, he looked back at his exit at Wanderers with a degree of disappointment.

"You work so hard to get an opportunity like Bolton and I was out of contract when I signed there, so I got my head down and worked really hard to try and earn a contract," Chicksen said.

"I felt I did that and was let down.

"The reasons were fair - they said they wanted to go in a different direction - but when you think you've given everything for a club and you get nothing back, it's very hard to take.

"The last seven months have been hard - I won't shy away from that. It's probably been one of the toughest times in my career because you feel like you're going away from football.

"You start thinking about looking outside of football and questioning whether you're still able, but then you revert back to what you do right.

"I'd wake up every morning at 6 o'clock and go for a run. I'd go to the gym for a second session in the day. I'd keep doing all the stuff that would keep me mentally prepared for an opportunity.

"There will be a lot of lads in the same situation after what's happened.

"It's been tough but, on the other hands, it's made me more driven than I was when I was 18 because it was so tough. It was make or break for me."

Meanwhile, ex-Wanderers striker Joe Dodoo has also completed a move to Turkish side Ankara Keciorengucu.