Small Time

<p><strong>In 1988 23-year-old American goalkeeper Justin Bryant thought a glorious career in professional football awaited him.</strong> He had just saved two penalties for his American club - the Orlando Lions - against Scotland's Dunfermline Athletic to help claim the first piece of silverware in their history. He was young strong healthy and confident.</p><p>But professional football he found is rarely easy.</p><p>Small Time is the story of a life spent mostly in the backwaters of the game. As Justin negotiated the Non-League pitches of the Vauxhall-Opel League and the many failed professional leagues of the U.S. in the 1980s and 90s he struggled not only with his game but his physical and mental health.</p><p>Battling stress social anxiety a mysterious stomach ailment and simple bad luck he nonetheless experienced fleeting moments of triumph that no amount of money can buy. Football he learned is 95% blood sweat and tears; but if you love it enough the other 5% makes up for it.</p>