The emotions that Danny Andrew felt after his relegation last season are driving him to ensure Exeter City remains in League One.
At 35, Andrew was part of the Cambridge United squad that was relegated to League Two last season.
Since joining Exeter in September, he has made a return this month following a calf injury that sidelined him since November.
With City currently just above the relegation zone after a streak of 13 games without a win, Andrew is determined to prevent a repeat of last year’s challenges.
“It’s a dreadful feeling when it becomes mathematically impossible to stay up,” he shared with BBC Radio Devon.
“Last season was one of the toughest experiences I’ve had in football.
“You feel as though you’ve let everyone down—yourself, your supporters, the club, and your teammates.”
As a result, Andrew is motivated more than ever to fight against relegation, stating that the prospect of going down again is something he wants to avoid at all costs.
“It ignites a strong desire to work hard and keep Exeter in this league,” he added.
Exeter has faced five consecutive defeats, managing only one point in their last seven matches. They now find themselves just one point clear of the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s match against Leyton Orient at St James Park (15:00 GMT).
Andrew emphasizes the importance of maintaining morale and focus as they strive for a fifth consecutive season in League One.
“It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself, but that helps no one. No one’s going to hand you three points,” he said.
“Everyone is fighting for their lives on both ends of the table, whether trying to avoid relegation or pushing for promotion.
“Nothing is guaranteed in football; you have to earn it. We must work diligently and, starting Saturday, we need to go out there and strive to fight harder than any opponent we face.”