In the summer of 2003, he was released by Colchester after being told he would not be offered a long-term contract, having made just six league appearances. He joined non-league Grays Athletic and scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Chesham United on his debut. He later joined Halstead Town, scoring ten goals in 19 appearances for the club. While playing for Halstead, he went on trial with clubs in France and made a 3,200-mile round trip to Turkey for a trial with İstanbulspor.