Chris James (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat)

Contract not continued?

Thought he had a 3 year contract for some reason but can't find anything to confirm that.

Maybe he should try South Africa like Brockie and Co.

Seems there's an appetite.

Good idea

He now describes himself as a "free agent" on his Linkedin profile and Sedan as a "former club":

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris26james

He's removed the reference to CSSA (Sedan) from his Twitter banner, suggesting he is no longer with them:

https://twitter.com/chris26james

The latest from South Africa is that Chris James has been trialling with Supersport United (the same club that Jeremy Brockie and Michael Boxall play for) in Pretoria. He has played in a few of the friendlies and trained with the side but Gordon Igesund, the coach, has decided against signing him.

You can read more here.

That's a shame! Would have been cool to have all 3 at the club. Brockie no doubt acting as their number one scout if Isaka Cernak is on the books too

For sure, I reckon Brockie is definitely a cheerleader for Kiwi talent (and Australian with Cernak) at Supersport. The fact that Kris Bright and Harry Edge have also gone over there means Brockie may well have started a trend. It'll be interesting to see if Chris James turns up at another PSL club before the season begins.

On a side note, I have just recently completed a blog article on Kiwi footballers signing for South African clubs, so if anyone has too much time on their hands, you can click here. :)

Perhaps they're going to stay a few years, get a SAF passport, and turn out for Bafana Bafana in Qatar.

I'll get me coat.

Back in Finland after his unsuccessful go at picking up a contract in South Africa.

Playing in the Ykkönen for 9th placed (out of 10) Ekenas IF. Got his first start last week against AC Oulu in a 2-1 loss.

Just to clarify, the Ykkönen is the league below Finland's top division the Veikkausliiga where relatively unheralded and inexperienced Nikko Boxall has recently managed to pick up a gig with VPS. 

Good luck to him.

Is it a professional contract

Hes done

Thought he could make it in a better club

He's looking fit, is only 28, and always put in a good shift for the AWs. I'm not ready to write him off yet.

he looks in very good shape there

When's this photo from? Best shape I've ever seen him in.

Slight upgrade on his hair since the last time I saw him too.

The photo is from an article published on his club's website 2 weeks ago. The Google translation of the caption is:

"Chris chose to use option for the remainder of the season and thus continuing the EIF. His contract was structured so that he could leave the club to play at a higher level if such an offer would have been revealed. Now, however, he chose to stay and help the EIF secure his contract in One for next year."

Title of thread is wrong. He's playing for Ekenas, who play in the Ykkonen division.

is that a pro league?

He's playing so that's a start. I really hope he gets a call to the Next AW squad as we just do not have a midfield.

is he a chance though. There is no denying that based on what we have seen, he plays well in a white shirt but the cock factor 10 may be off putting for Hudson. 

Gourdie needs to ask him about players like Keat, James etc...

Semi-professional, 2nd division of Finland.

I bet his Finish is good.....

Finally....

@EscapeToSuomi @msipilai pic.twitter.com/tPEJ6oddLb

— Juuso R. (@JRaeihae) September 19, 2015

The away fans of TPS at Ekenas' match overnight.

(Ekenas won 4-1 & James played full 90)

That looks a lot like Kiwitea street with that banner photoshopped in...

Hope their mums are proud of them

Sent off for a second yellow in 58th min in a 0-1 loss to AC Oulu.

Ekenas finished eighth in the ten team Finnish second division.

Comfortably clear of the last two relegation positions by  fourteen points.

http://int.soccerway.com/national/finland/ykkonen/...

In their final game on 17 October, Ekenas thrashed MP 4-2 away.

But without Chris James who was suspended after being sent off in their previous game.

http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/big-year-ahead-for-hu...

No pin for James.

Evidence points to the Scandi-Wellingtonians (James, Keat, Henderson) being "frozen out".

That's pretty crap eh - poor journalism from Gourdie to not ask about why they aren't even identified, but I guess it's just a puff-piece

On the positive side, Hudson's tan is coming along nicely

Maybe he's waiting to discover them this year?

Its nice of him to post everyone's phone number and email address to all the fans anyway

interesting how many USA based players had a "pin" yet nothing for Keat etc. means they are tracking amateurs in college and ignoring pros- hardly a surprise but I was hoping we would see Dan Keat play for the AWs given we still don't have a CM. 

Was there another player pinned from canada? Correct me if  I am wrong, but it looked like there was a second pin on vancouver whitecaps. Could that be Ben McKendry? It was a fuzzy image and a quick glance.

But yes, It looks like scandinavia is ignored or Hudson is just sticking to his plot of U-23s. Ill be honest, Chris James is 28 same with Keat and Henderson. By the time they reach 2018, they will be 30. I think they are good players. 

James was dropped right after Uzbekistan and wasn't called up to any of Hudsons future squads, he had a look at Keat, but then hasn't called him up again, and hasn't seemed to bother with Henderson. Maybe they don't fit into his plans?

so what happens if someone does not have a club, where does he stick his pin?

Think the two are for Portland. Gleeson and Payne.

Lol, yes where is FC Unattached?