Ryan Spokes loving life in south-west and at Allansford

The 23-year-old, a Magistrates Court security guard, travelled to the south-west from Bendigo for two weeks of work in February.

When a full-time role popped up, Spokes applied and didn't look back.

He began sounding out football clubs but one name kept popping up - Allansford.

"Moving to Warrnambool, I knew I wanted to play with a district league club," Spokes said.

"I had a few (clubs) on my radar but I started asking people at work which clubs were the good, family-orientated clubs and if there were any I should avoid.

"Allansford just kept coming up and it ticked all of the boxes for me. It's such a family club and I've heard nothing but great things about it."

Spokes, who crossed from Heathcote and District league club Huntly, said he was keen to be involved in leadership under Ben Price's coaching structures.

Price signed on for his fourth year as senior coach last month.

Spokes said it was "disappointing" to miss a season of football due to coronavirus but was already gearing up for 2021.

The Warrnambool and District league pulled the pin on its senior seasons on June 24.

"It's definitely disappointing. I think any footballer who says they're not disappointed doesn't have their heart in the right spot for it," Spokes said.

"It's weird. I've never missed a season of footy except one where I had a crack at rugby union.

"You wake up on a Saturday and you don't have anything to do. It's hard, but it's given me more motivation for next year.

"It's given me a chance to throw in the hard yards and build my fitness up again."

Gym sessions were expected to form a key part of Spokes' fitness regime but he has reverted to running since regional Victoria re-entered stage three restrictions.

"It's funny actually, I went to join up at Anytime Fitness a couple of weeks ago with a couple of the boys but as soon as we did, restrictions came in," Spokes said.

"I'm just trying to get as much running in as possible at the moment. That's really the only thing you can do.

"The cold mornings definitely don't help the motivation though."

In the meantime, Spokes is soaking up south-west life.

"I love it down here. It's nowhere near as busy as Bendigo," Spokes said.

"The access to the beach is a big plus for recovery and it's always good after a game to be able to hop in to the freezing cold water.

"The city is just friendly and tidy and I feel like it's been a great move for me."

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