A DEFENDER is having a 'surreal experience' after swapping non-league football with Evesham United for professional football in Gibraltar.
Centre back Toby Raison, 23, was a key part of Evesham United's return to step three (seventh tier) football last season, earning promotion from the Southern League Division One South through the play-offs.
However, Raison would leave The Robins ahead of the 2025/26 season, to go professional with 17-time Gibraltar Premier Division champions, Glacis United.
The defender explained that the opportunity to become fully professional was his main motivator behind the move.
He said: "The driving thing for me was full-time football. At Glacis, we train every day.
"You'd have to be playing high step two (sixth tier) or step one (fifth tier) to get that in England.
"Training every day, I can learn something and put it into practice the next day in training - I feel my development has accelerated because of that."
Raison's move was a whirlwind. After being asked if he was interested in joining by an ex-teammate, the 23-year-old found himself on a plane just three days later.
"It has been amazing, a surreal experience," he added. "Very different from England - it took me a couple of weeks to get used to training in the sun.
"Passing the ball, only getting three headers a game rather than 30!
"In terms of living it's fantastic, it's a very unique place. There's a Morrisons, and M&S - it's like England with the sun."
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In Gibraltar, the 12-team division splits in two midway through the season, with the top six battling it out for the title. Glacis currently do not place within the top six, but Raison believes they have a shot at getting there in time.
The top two league finishers will clinch European football, along with the cup winners.
"Europe, it would be a fantastic opportunity but I'm very much just focussed on the league," he said.
At 23 Raison is still in the early stages of his career, but is keen to ensure he retires with no regrets.
He explained: "Individually, I want to continue enjoying my football and learn as much as I can.
"Give everything I have got. I want to finish my career knowing that there's no regrets and I gave it everything I had.
"I want to grasp opportunities with both hands, really."
