Ben Amos, the former Manchester United goalkeeper who was tipped for a bright future by Sir Alex Ferguson, has spoken out about being without a club. The 36-year-old left Port Vale after his contract expired last month and has been training with the PFA pre-season squad.
PFA Pre-Season Programme
Amos has been part of the PFA pre-season programme for the last month. The camp, based in Leicestershire, is designed to help out-of-contract players maintain fitness and find new clubs. It was first launched as a pilot in 2023 and has run annually since.
Other players involved include former Sheffield Wednesday cult hero Fernando Forestieri, ex-Preston forward Will Keane, and Ipswich Town's Samy Morsy. Amos has featured in pre-season matches against a free agents side from France and non-league Hednesford Town.
Amos on the Camp
"It's been unbelievable," Amos said. "Obviously really hard work, they've pushed us every day. But just invaluable, like the sessions that they've put on, the games, obviously the facilities for recovery, everything has been laid on for us, so even to the food, the food has been unbelievable."
He added: "When you're away from here, if you're not on the PFA camp, you just can't recreate it. You can do all the fitness work you want, all the ball work, but you just can't compare to this kind of training and service."
Amos on His Future
Despite being 36, Amos believes he still has plenty to offer. "I feel like I'm getting better all the time," he said. "Yes, I'm without a club in 20-something of July, which I've never been in that position before, but I don't feel like I've ever been in a better position in terms of how I feel. It's just the dynamic at the moment, the market and what have you. Hopefully, I won't be waiting too much longer."
He continued: "I feel like I've got a lot more to give. I want to go until I'm 40 and maybe beyond. The market will dictate at the end of the day, it always does. The good thing is I know I'm in a great place, ready for whenever that happens."
Manchester United Career
Amos started his professional career at boyhood club Manchester United, making his first-team debut at 18 in a League Cup tie against Middlesbrough in September 2008. He was United's fourth-choice keeper at the time but Sir Alex Ferguson saw his talent and gave him opportunities.
Amos made seven first-team appearances for United, including one in the Premier League, before leaving at the end of his contract in 2015. He moved to Bolton Wanderers permanently after a loan spell. Reflecting on his time at United, Amos said he should have left sooner.
"I think I played seven times, but that was all under Sir Alex," Amos said. "He played me in the Champions League and the Premier League. Just one of those things, really. I think [David] De Gea was bought for £20million, which was a big chunk at the time. And obviously a world-class keeper, so it's pretty hard to get in front of the likes of those guys. I definitely stayed a couple of years too long, with hindsight. I was still hoping for those opportunities, but when Sir Alex left, I didn't get any more."
Career After United
Amos has forged a solid career in the EFL, making more than 350 appearances for clubs including Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Wigan Athletic, Millwall, Cardiff City, and Bolton. At Port Vale, he kept 15 clean sheets in 41 matches and helped them reach the FA Cup quarter-final last season. He hopes to find his next club in the coming weeks.
