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| McLean playing for against Leamington for Hereford |
Former Hereford winger Ryan McLean has said Leamington's manager helped his move from Hereford to AFC Wimbledon.
When McLean's contract was coming to an end at Hereford in 2023, he didn't want the Bulls to exercise the option so he could leave for free - but new boss Paul Caddis did.
After his move to AFC Wimbledon, it meant Hereford were entitled to compensation as he was under 24.
Speaking to Unfiltered Sporting Minds Podcast, McLean said Paul Holleran had reached out to him - not with a view to signing him for the Warwickshire side, but to help him into full-time football and up the pyramid, something he was apparently done before.
McLean's agent was then put in touch with the Dons, and a deal was done within two days, though during his time at Edgar Street he never thought he'd be playing two leagues higher.
At the time, the former Shrewsbury Town and FC Telford United youth player, was still working part-time in recruitment when his agent phoned and asked whether he wanted to join the League Two club.
Within days, he was in Spain on a pre-season tour.
After joining Wimbledon, he said he struggled with training at the start as he was more of a "match player", and he noticed how important consistency was higher up the pyramid.
"Everyone can hit the crossbar at any level or put a nice corner in or whatever it is, do a step over and stick it in the top corner - you can see that in Sunday league.
"If you can do that eight/nine times out of 10, better than the three or four times out of 10 that you're going to get three below that, and then one or two times out of 10, two leagues below that."
McLean, who played in the West Midlands (Regional) League and Northern Premier League Division One South East before moving to Hereford under Josh Gowling. He initially joined on loan from Newcastle Town but played just one game before Covid curtailed the 2020/21 season.
McLean signed a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee in the summer and went on to feature more than 80 times.
After moving to Wimbledon, McLean struggled with injury and made only eight appearances, spending time on loan at Kidderminster Harriers and Yeovil Town.
After his contract expired in the summer, he returned to National League North with full-time Buxton.