‘Very worrying’: Honest former Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic and Bradford City man opens up on future

Tom McIntyre is turning to the PFA to help him in his search for a new home this summer.

And the former Pompey defender is hoping for more security at his next club as he looks to reignite his stalling career.

The 27-year-old was released at the end of the campaign, with Aberdeen opting not to extend his short-term deal.

McIntyre, who registered 14 appearances during a frustrating two-year stay at Fratton Park, made the move to Pittodrie in February after his Blues terms were cut-short six-months early..

However, the centre-back suffered further disappointment, with a hamstring injury restricting him to just five outings in all competitions.

But now without a club, the former Reading man is turning to the PFA to aid his search for a new club.

The PFA organise a 10-week pre-season training program every summer for out-of-contract players to maintain their fitness should clubs come calling.

That has been utilised by Pompey players past and present, with the likes of John Swift, Jordy Hiwula, Tom Davies, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Chris Maguire and more taking part last summer.

Honest ex-Pompey, Charlton and Reading man lifts lid on future

And McIntyre has revealed he’s already signed up for the upcoming camp as he continues his search for a new club.

Speaking about his future to BBC Radio Berkshire, the ex-Blues defender said: ‘It’s a very worrying time because being out of contract is a very scary place as all footballers know.

‘Maybe before Covid it was a very lucrative position to be in but it’s a little bit of worry now.

‘I’m going to get as fit as I can get. The PFA do a pre-season program which I’ve signed up to and there’s been quite a few players over the last few years that have been doing that and gone on to get contracts.

‘They’ve had a really good success rate with that so I’m hoping I can go in there, hit the ground running and impress wherever that may be.

‘I’m looking forward to a new challenge really.

‘Of course I’d love to go back to Reading one day whenever that may be and in what capacity sometime down the line then I wouldn’t mind.

‘I love the club and it would be an honour to go back. But I know how football works and it’s just one of those things that maybe it comes up at some stage but if not then I’ve got to move past that.’

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Four clubs in two-and-a-half years for ex-Pompey man

After making the move to Fratton Park in January 2024, McInyre suffered a season-ending ankle injury on his Pompey debut.

But the defender struggled for form in the Championship the following campaign, making 13 further appearances before spending the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Charlton Athletic.

Following a loan stint with Bradford City, McIntyre’s Blues deal was mutually terminated in February, allowing him to make a free-transfer switch to Aberdeen.

And having featured for four clubs in the past two-and-a-half years, the ex-Reading academy graduate is looking to remain settled at his next home.

‘A bit of golf. I love my golf so I’ll be doing that but I’ve got two kids now so a lot of my time will be taken up with them. It will be lovely for my family to be settled.

‘The last two years I’ve been here, there and everywhere really.

‘I’ve been on loan twice, signed a short-term deal at Aberdeen, been travelling back-and-forth so a bit of security would be really nice and would make a big difference for my family as well.’

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