Marvin Bartley knows full well the challenges of being a trialist.
As a youngster coming up through the ranks he had to juggle work life with trying to make a name for himself in the game.
So he completely understands the pressures on several unsigned players that have been turning out for Queens in preseason.
He said: “I was a trialist at Bournemouth. It’s tough as I was working at that point and played in two trial games. I’ll never forget it. One of them was against Weymouth after working the whole day.
“It was a midweek game and I came off with cramp after 30 minutes and then I played against Southampton on the Saturday and I came off at half-time with cramp but I still managed to sign the contract so I clearly did something well in those 70/80 odd minutes.”
He added: “It’s a difficult situation to be in but it’s part and parcel of football, you have to deal with that.
“You know people coming in on trial want to make an impact and you’d hope they’ll get better and settle in once they’ve got a contract.
“If they go the other way I’m in trouble, aren’t I? All I ask is for them to give it their all when they come in the building.”
Bartley added one of those trialists to his squad for next season at the weekend.
Twenty-one-year-old winger Harvey Walker signed a one-year deal on Saturday just before Queen of the South’s 2-1 loss to Dundee United behind closed doors.
The pacy Walker played in the Livingston and Gretna 2008 friendlies and signs from Aldershot Town, where he played in their youth set up.
Walker said: “It feels good to get a deal done. I’ve spent all my career at Aldershot so it’s going to be a different challenge for me, but one that I’m looking forward to. I’ve enjoyed my time on trial but now that things are settled, I’m just looking forward to working hard and getting started.”
With full-time teams returning that opens the door for loan players to come in as teams further up the pyramid sort their squads.
Bartley said: “It’s no secret that I’m still actively looking to add to the squad and speaking to players.
“We’re looking to add and have trialists in. It’s an opportunity for them to win a contract.
“Everyone will be looking to see what happens higher up the food chain. We’ve had a few conversations with players higher up and also down in England but I’m looking to get my squad together as soon as I possibly can. At this moment at time, there’s still spaces available and we’ll be filling those up.”
