MetroStars’ Liam Wooding was ready to quit soccer before winning this season’s Sergio Melta Medal

LIAM Wooding was on the verge of quitting soccer last year before a decisive intervention set him on the path to claiming the SA Premier League’s highest individual honour.

MetroStars’ Sergio Melta Medallist Liam Wooding (right) with Adelaide City great Sergio Melta. Picture: Richard Keane - Sports in Focus

LIAM Wooding was on the verge of quitting soccer last year before a decisive intervention set him on the path to claiming the SA Premier League’s highest individual honour.

The MetroStars midfielder was awarded the Sergio Melta Medal for the player of the season last Saturday night after a breakout top-flight campaign.

But Wooding, of Moana, was ready to walk away from the game for good as he searched for motivation and inspiration a little over 18 months ago.

“I was absolutely done and was looking to give it up,” Wooding, 24, recalled.

“I had lost the enjoyment of the game, I was frustrated and had lost my passion for it.

“But MetroStars, credit to them, got me to see a sports psychologist.

“Now here I am still playing and enjoying my football when I was literally ready to throw in the towel.”

Wooding earned 29 votes to edge out Para Hills’ Alex Mullen (27) for the medal in a season he helped MetroStars to the preliminary final and their second-straight FFA Cup SA triumph.

Liam Wooding helped MetroStars to their second straight FFA Cup SA triumph this past season. Picture: Sam Wundke

The former Adelaide United youngster said a renewed mental approach, along with the supportive environment provided by the Klemzig club, had helped him rediscover his best form.

“When I was young I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to do well and reach the next level,” said Wooding, who scored 13 goals in 30 matches in all competitions this year.

“The last two seasons I’ve just looked to enjoy my football and appreciate playing the game.

“The medal is a great achievement on a personal level, but for me it’s all about the club.

“They’ve gone out an a limb to do anything to keep me happy and they’ve been fantastic.”

The honour came five years on from Wooding’s sole A-League appearance for the Reds as an 18-year-old substitute against Melbourne Heart in the final game of the 2011/12 season.

While not focused on a return to the professional ranks, he said he would be better prepared to handle the step up should a future opportunity present itself.

“I’d been itching for that moment for so long,” the former Young Sooceroo said of his debut.

“I always thought I should have been in an A-League squad, but when I played that game I realised that I wasn’t quite ready.

“When you’re growing up and trying to make that next level, you’re so worried about your own game.

Liam Wooding in action for Adelaide United on his A-League debut against Melbourne Heart in 2012.

“But stepping back and playing at Metro for four years now, you realise it’s about the team and the bigger picture.

“That’s where I’ve matured in the game, understanding my role within the team and not trying to do everything.”

Wooding, who works as a strength and conditioning coach, regularly put his teammates through punishing fitness sessions in the TK Shutter Reserve clubrooms on wet winter nights.

The SA Sports Institute graduate said returning to pre-season, rather than ending MetroStars’ five-year championship drought, dominated his thoughts.

“We did really well this season, but we just fell short in the finals,” Wooding, of Moana, said.

“We’ll learn because we’ve got a young squad and we’ll move forward.

“Obviously you want to win the league, but for me I want to get a good pre-season in and win the first game of the season then we’ll go form there.”