Two Years On, Moors Make Jamey Merrier At Christmas

Having played at every step of senior Non-League football, he was mulling over losing something precious to him - status as a Football League player.

Grimsby’s midfielder was returning from injury but something didn’t feel quite right.

He was on loan back at Solihull Moors for a month and, with the club keen on a full-time switch, he had a decision to make.

Pro football maybe, but fact is the talented playmaker had done the hard yards to earn it. Working his way up through spells at Hednesford Town, Rushall Olympic, Redditch United and eventually Solihull, his ambition was realised in 2017. Circumstances then took over.

Eventually, a return to the National League it just had to be.

But given that earning his place in the EFL wasn’t easy, he will move heaven and earth to try and get it back.

Jamey and the Moors face a festive title crunch against leaders Barrow on Saturday, a huge game in the season and one broadcast live on BT Sport.

He explained: “It really wasn’t easy, it was tough. I actually took a good few months to decide what to do.

“I liked to think I earned a shot at the EFL and giving up the chance wasn’t simple. But I had picked up an injury at Grimsby, and when I came back the team weren’t playing too well.

“Russell Slade the manager was under a little pressure so I wasn’t getting the minutes I needed because every game was big. When I got on, I felt I made an impact so it was hard not starting.

“Also my boy wasn’t well. Living in the Midlands made that tough.

“Then Solihull, my old club, came calling. Investment had been made and there was a feeling the club were on the up. I went back on loan and it changed to a full-time move soon after.

“I need to be at a club who could help get me back to the Football League and I think this is the right place.”

A win against the leaders Barrow on Saturday could reinforce his point.

Problem is, Moors have been camera shy so far this season - and there can be no hiding place if they are realistic about avoiding the play-offs.

The 27-year-old said: “There’s a big game feel to this one, no doubt about it.

“But we’ve not been great on BT Sport - especially here this season. We’ve got a great home record, one of the best in the division I’m sure, but when the cameras come here we haven’t got the result.

“We lost to Eastleigh at home and then there was the Rotherham FA Cup game. Oddly last season it was the other way around - we always won when we were on TV.

“We need to try and set that right this weekend.”

Barrow have been “so impressive” according to the much-talked about midfield man and he knows they can’t scamper off into the distance on Saturday night.

He adds: “They are a really good side and they deserve to be where they are.

“They are seven points in front of us, and if they win this weekend that will extend to ten. We can’t afford that, even in December. That’s essentially four games they would be in front of us, and- although we would never say it was over- that would be a big advantage.

“But win it and the gap closes to four points. We need to keep the pressure on as everyone knows this Christmas period is busy and there are so many points up for grabs.”

Osborne has a rare treat on Saturday - not having to leave the house before 3pm!

“I only live a few minutes away so with the later kick-off I won’t know what to do with myself!” he smiled.

“I am from here, and yes you do feel it more being a local lad. I’ve seen the club’s rise for myself as they are my local side.

“The club is ambitious. We went through a stage earlier in the season when we dropped a lot of points but there was a reason behind that. For a few weeks we had five strikers out.

“I love a goal as much as the next midfielder, but even we couldn’t chip in three a game!

“When we have everyone fit we think we’ve got a squad to match anyone. Now we need to prove that - we need to show everyone we mean business.”