A team of free agents, which included former Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham players, was involved in a friendly against Watford on Tuesday afternoon. While the summer transfer window is in full swing, there are still hundreds of players at all levels looking for clubs to take them on. Some of the more recognisable names have enlisted the help of the PFA in a desperate attempt to find work.

A total of 42 players have joined the PFA initiative, which aims to help unemployed players earn contracts ahead of the new campaign. It also allows them to undergo a pre-season regime in a team setting, rather than being forced to train alone. As part of the initiative, a number of friendly matches have been scheduled.

A team representing the PFA took on a Watford academy side in Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday afternoon. Another game against non-league Hednesford Town is set to take place later this week.

There were a number of notable players in the starting line-up against Watford, including former United man Ryan Tunnicliffe. He failed to make a senior appearance for the Red Devils and is currently without a club, having recently left Adelaide United.

Emmanuel Sonupe, who came through Tottenham's academy, was another player in the squad. Isaac Christie-Davies, the former Chelsea and Liverpool youth player, also started the match and recently spoke of his experience as part of the PFA initiative.

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In a TikTok video after last week's friendly against Port Vale, he said: "It's great, it has everything you need. It's got the gym, the pool, the physios and the pitches. Everything is really close as well so you don't have to travel far, so that's really good.

"Playing the game, you know, it's difficult if you're out of contract. You don't always have the opportunity to do that, so to play 11-vs-11 against a good side... it's just valuable to get those minutes in, something that you can't replicate yourself.

"I would say that's the stand-out and I feel really good. It's been a hard week, lots of minutes in the legs, but really good to get back playing and training."

Last year, the scheme helped players like Offrande Zanzala, Aiden O'Brien and Omar Bogle to find new clubs. Registration for this summer's course was open to players who held professional contracts during the 2024/25 campaign.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is among those to have praised the initiative, telling the PFA website: "It can be a really tough time for players if they've been released or are looking for a new club, especially lower down the pyramid.

"I've played and managed at that level and there's not a lot of long-term security. We're all lucky to be involved in the game but when you have that uncertainty it doesn't just impact you but your family too.

"You've got a lot to think about in terms of where you're living, your kids being in school, all these things. When pre-season starts in clubs that can be when it begins to feel real for those who maybe haven't got a new deal yet.

"They'll suddenly feel like they are on the outside looking in. It can be mentally tough. There's no substitute for being around other players and having that structured football environment where you're being pushed."