Jamie Hand

Fisher Athletic and Northampton Town Hand departed Watford after the closure of the January 2006 transfer window, joining Fisher Athletic who were not bound by the regulations of the transfer window. Fisher were managed by Justin Edinburgh, a former teammate of Northampton's then boss Colin Calderwood, leading to speculation that the Fisher move had been used to exploit a loophole in the transfer window system. Hand helped the "Cobblers" to secure runners-up spot in League Two and thereby win promotion from League One. However, he was not offered a contract at Sixfields and instead became a free agent.

Chester City On 15 May 2006, Hand joined League Two side Chester City. He was signed by Mark Wright, his former Peterborough manager. He scored four goals from 50 appearances across the 2006–07 season. He started the following campaign at the Deva Stadium, but surprised "Seals" manager Bobby Williamson with the haste of his exit after the club accepted an offer from Lincoln City.

Lincoln City Hand signed a two-year contract with Lincoln City on 17 August 2007. Lincoln's Director of Football, John Deehan, had previously worked with Hand at Northampton Town. He became a regular presence in the side under the management of John Schofield. Still, he lost his place when the "Imps" came under the management of Peter Jackson. On 28 February 2008, Hand was loaned out to former club Oxford United – now in the Conference and managed by Darren Patterson – until the end of the 2007–08 season. Despite starting 13 of Oxford's remaining 14 fixtures, the club announced that Hand would not be offered a deal for the following season. He returned to Sincil Bank. Hand's contract with Lincoln was cancelled by mutual consent in May 2008.

Non-League In August 2008, Hand joined Conference side Ebbsfleet United on non-contract terms after spending time with them in pre-season. He made 26 appearances across the 2008–09 season, before dropping down to the Conference South to play for Chelmsford City. He returned to the Conference Premier in September 2009 to sign for Woking. In March 2010, he signed for Southern League Premier Division club Hemel Hempstead Town, arriving at the same time as former Watford teammate Paolo Vernazza.

Hand returned to the Conference Premier after joining Hayes & Yeading United on a short-term deal in August 2010. He formed an effective midfield partnership with Peter Holmes and Bradley Pritchard, and was rewarded with an extended contract by manager Garry Haylock. Hand said: "I have been working hard and putting a lot of effort into my football – it is something I should have done years ago." He made 43 appearances in the 2010–11 season, scoring two goals, and was made club captain in the summer. On 9 September 2011, he moved on loan to divisional rivals Luton Town, with a view to a permanent move in January 2012. At the end of his loan spell with Luton Town, manager Gary Brabin decided not to pursue a transfer, explaining his thinking behind the decision he said: "Jamie was a fantastic character but hadn't nailed down a place in the squad that was his own, so it makes sense not to pursue it."

In April 2012, he was fined £250 by The Football Association for bringing the game into disrepute with comments he made on Twitter, such as one post on 9 April that Luton Town supporters were "40 year old virgins who live wit there [sic] mums". He quit Hayes the following month as he was unhappy with the level of a fine issued to him for a red card he received in the match at Lincoln City that saw Hayes relegated into the Conference South; he said "I don't think a sending off warrants a week's wages" and that Tony [O'Driscoll, director of football] and Nas Bashir are telling me it's the chairman's decision to fine me. If that's his decision that's fine but I won't play for the club again while he is in charge".

On 15 July 2012, Hand signed with Mansfield Town; "Stags" manager Paul Cox said that he "will add steel and competitiveness to the squad". On 9 November, he joined Richard Hill's Eastleigh on a one-month loan deal, in order to regain match fitness following a knee injury. On 2 January, he made a surprise return on loan at former club Hayes & Yeading United. Speaking about reversing his decision never to play for the club again, he said "we live in the here and now and that's all that matters". He made five appearances and was sent off on Bashir's final match in charge, a 6–2 defeat at Chelmsford City, which also proved to be Hand's last game for United. On 9 March, he joined Margate of the Isthmian League Premier Division on loan until the end of the 2012–13 season.

On 10 July 2013, Hand signed with Conference North side Stockport County. Manager Ian Bogie said that "he's at a good age, he's a good passer and will put his foot in as well". However, after being restricted to five appearances in three months at Edgeley Park, he joined Southport on a six-week loan deal starting on 25 November. Having played just twice for the "Sandgrounders" and five times for Stockport during the 2013–14 season, he was released by the "Hatters" in May 2014. He joined Conference South side Wealdstone on a trial basis in October 2014, playing in a friendly match against Metropolitan Police, but no permanent deal materialised. He signed for Farnborough in December 2014. He featured in 17 matches for the "Yellows" throughout the 2014–15 campaign. Hand signed with Northern Premier League Premier Division club Warrington Town in January 2017. However, he did not play a first-team game for the club.

Style of play Hand was described by Peterborough United and Chester City manager Mark Wright as a "tough-tackling, no-nonsense central midfielder who's six foot and mobile". He went on to work at the club as a first-team coach. In October 2017, he was recruited by Port Vale manager Neil Aspin to act as the club's scout in the South of England.

Career statistics

Honours Northampton Town League Two second-place promotion: 2005–06