ADAM Chicksen is the proud member of an exclusive club at Valley Parade.
The Zimbabwe international left- back is the only player in the current starting line-up who was at Bradford City in 2017.
With January arrival Ryan McGowan taking Nathaniel Knight-Percival’s spot in the back four in the last three games — and Matt Kilgallon still out of the picture — Chicksen has become the unlikely longest-server at the English League One football club.
“Somebody in the dressing room brought that up and it is kind of weird after only a season,” he admitted.
“It’s a good one, but I love being here. I’m the happiest I’ve been at a club.”
Chicksen’s longevity compared with those around him in the City dressing room stands out even more because of the nomadic nature of his career since leaving hometown club MK Dons in 2013.
A three-year stay with Brighton included four loan spells before spending a season at Charlton prior to his City switch.
He added: “I’ve tended to move about in the past. This is probably the first time I’ve stayed at a club into a second year and been in the team.
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“But it’s good to come in for the second season and you feel at home with the club and the fans.
“You’re not thinking about moving here or there, you just get on with your football and it’s welcome for me to have that.”
So what has Chicksen, a summer signing for Stuart McCall 14 months ago, made of the whirlwind of change that has gone on around him in the new Michael Collins era?
“It’s a lot of changes in a short amount of time. But you look at yourself and think ‘I’m obviously still here for a good reason’.
“You keep your head down, work hard and hopefully make the selection regardless of what has gone on around you.
“The players may change around you, but your attitude remains the same. If you apply yourself the same every day, it shouldn’t really be much different.
“I must have done something right to merit a place in the team.
“It is a bit of a kick up the backside with all the changes. But if I know I’m giving everything, there’s nothing more I can lay on the table.
“If that means a player who comes in is better than me or makes the side, you hold your hand up and support the team anyway.”
The new broom has also brought a change in atmosphere around the club. Chicksen is glad to see the back of the miserable second half of last season.
He said: “It’s nice to put that season to bed and all those negatives. It could have been brought back into this year.
“We’ve drawn a line and we want to get on with it and win games for the fans.
“Micky and the staff have come in with a real buzz about them. They want to unite everyone.”
Chicksen made his debut for Zimbabwe during the Four Nations Tournament held in Zambia in March, starting all the matches after impressing coach Sunday Chidzambwa.
Although he was included in Zimbabwe’s squad for next month’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo in Brazzaville, his participation is doubtful as he is yet to acquire a Zimbabwean passport. — The Telegraph & Argus
