Former Portsmouth man Danny East: I got bored at full-back - now I’m a number 10

Now Danny East is carving out a new reputation as a number 10 for National League Alfreton Town.

The 28-year-old has embarked on a drastic positional change after admitting he became ‘bored’ at full-back.

During an injury-hit two seasons at Fratton Park, East appeared at right-back, left-back, central midfield and even on the right of the attacking three in a 4-3-3.

However, since exiting the Football League following his Fratton Park release in July 2015, he has reinvented himself in the number 10 role.

And with 28 games and two goals for an Alfreton side which finished 14th when the season was scrapped, East is revelling in his responsibilities.

He told The News: ‘I mainly played full-back for Pompey, although there was the last game of the 2013-14 season when I played central midfield against Plymouth and absolutely loved it.

‘It was just being a part of everything. Sometimes if you aren’t in a passing team you don’t get the ball at right-back, which wasn’t the case at Pompey. But, in the end, I was just bored, bored of playing full-back.

‘When I signed for Alfreton, I didn’t want to play in any position but centre mid or further up. When I fell in love with the game as a kid, that is where I played.

‘I’ve played number 10 for the majority of the season and really enjoy it there.

‘I just felt I wanted to be in the midst of it all, I want something to be happening all the time. At full-back, you don’t get much of the ball in some games - some managers play in a different style such as route one. Not for me.

‘I didn’t go into games buzzing at playing right back. I played five positions for Grimsby and didn’t know my position. Even now, when I get moved out of position I understand that and understand it’s an asset, but, at the same time, it takes time to change positions.

‘I remember playing left-back for Pompey and thinking “This is minging”. Then you get moved again.

‘You never knew where you stood as a utility player – now I want to play one position and enjoy it’.

East made 23 appearances and scored once with Pompey, before having spells at Grimsby, Guiseley, Bradford Park Avenue and Alfreton.

And he’s enjoying football more than ever in the number 10 role.

He added: ‘When I signed, the manager basically told me how his number 10 gets in behind the opposition – and I love getting in behind. I can time my runs and get in behind all day.

‘I just love the football now, getting the ball and assisting, just trying to help the team as much as possible.

‘A lot of people play a holding midfielder these days, so it’s just me against him, and that’s how my mindset works as well. I’m going to run off you all day.’

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