Arsenal: Thierry Henry, Aaron Ramsey and James Shea

In my childhood bedroom, you can find a signed Aaron Ramsey jersey, countless pieces of Arsenal apparel, and a signed James Shea photo.

The photo, which shows a beaming James hoisting the 2009 FA Youth Cup trophy above his head, is certainly the oddity, and I cannot remember how I came to acquire it. Nonetheless, it inspired me to get in contact with the man himself and ask him some questions about his story.

Less than a year after being on the bench for five of Arsenal’s Champions League games, James Shea was a semi-professional footballer struggling to make ends meet. Despite being on the books of his favourite club since the age of 10, Shea struggled to find a new home following his release in May 2013.

The Islington-born goalkeeper had to drop all the way down the football pyramid and play for Ryman League sides Needham Market F.C. and Harrow Borough F.C. James’ superb form for Harrow attracted plenty of interest, but he decided to join AFC Wimbledon after his manager, Dave Anderson, who had previously managed the Dons, pointed him in their direction. Nonetheless, James appreciates that things could have been very different.

A near-constant figure in Arsenal’s dominant youth team of 2008/09, who won both the FA Youth Cup and the FA Premier Academy League title, James was praised for his cat-like reflexes between the sticks. He knew that Jack Wilshere would become a “superstar”, but he thought that more players from that famed academy side would get opportunities to showcase their abilities in the first team.

"“I did think that more players would get a chance. There were a lot of good players in our team — [Henri] Lansbury, JET [Jay Emmanuel-Thomas], [Kyle] Bartley — I do think if they were at lesser clubs they would have had more of a chance.”"

"“Arsenal are great at producing players. Even if they don’t make it at Arsenal, you look at the number of players that have enjoyed productive professional careers – especially my youth team squad, a lot of them are still going very strong.”"

James’ youth level exploits and 15 first-team bench appearances were not enough to prevent his release after the 2012/13 season. He thought that he would get picked up quickly, but soon began to wonder if he would have to work for his father in the building trade. Nevertheless, James was always confident that he would get another chance in professional football.

"“I never thought about quitting, I always thought I would get another chance, but Arsenal were great with me. When I got released I couldn’t get a club, but they let me train every day even though I wasn’t contracted, which was absolutely massive for me. So when I did get a chance I was ready.”"

"“I kept training at London Colney and played non-league for Harrow Borough for a few years and eventually earned a move back into the football league. I was overjoyed when Wimbledon came in for me.”"

Non-league football may be unglamorous, but it has proven to be an incredibly useful platform for certain players. Jamie Vardy’s inspirational rags-to-riches story immediately springs to mind.

"“Going to Needham and Harrow Borough was the best decision I ever made. I got games, got my confidence up and played some men’s football. I wished I had done it at 17 or 18 because it was proper football. I went to Dagenham & Redbridge (who were in League Two at the time) first and never played (James made just four appearances – three starts – for the Daggers), I should have gone to a non-league side before I went to Dagenham.”"

"“In hindsight, I wish I left Arsenal a couple of years before I did. I was 22 years of age and I had not played any significant minutes. You get lost not playing.”"

A couple of months before his Arsenal release, James trialled with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, another club under the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment ownership umbrella. He could have avoided his non-league spell altogether.

"“Gerry Peyton asked if I wanted to go out to Colorado and I thought I’d go see and what’s it was like, I went over and I didn’t really know what to expect. I could have signed for them (the Rapids wanted James to stay for the 2013 season), but I thought that if I signed it would be tough for me to ever come back [to English football].”"

"“So I decided against it, especially as I was so young I wanted to give it a good go in England first.  I don’t regret not signing, but I would definitely go back out there later in my career though, as I really did enjoy it.”"

Although a move to the United States did not materialise, Shea has enjoyed the success that he desired in English football. He made over 100 appearances for AFC Wimbledon between 2014 and 2016 and is now competing with Marek Stech for the starting spot with Luton Town F.C.

Luton have enjoyed a fantastic start to this campaign, especially considering that they were only promoted from League Two last season. At the time of writing, they are in the League One automatic promotion places (2nd), having accumulated 52 points from 26 games. James has enjoyed a prolonged run in the starting eleven in recent months, as Stech suffered a hernia injury in August which eventually required an operation. Now fit, James’ good form has kept the Czech Republic shot-stopper from reclaiming the starting job he once held.

"“We have a great squad of players, so hopefully we’ll have another good season, and we’re able to continue our march up the football pyramid.”"

As football fans, we all have different rituals and different stories. Our personal association with our club is unique, and it is something that is worth celebrating, whether it be the signed shirt of a legend or a hoisted youth cup of a young goalkeeper.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to James for taking the time to answer my questions. You can follow him on both Twitter and Instagram.