With the door seemingly open for an exit from Notts County two years ago for Adam Chicksen, the result of offering him an extended one-year deal has been nothing short of a masterstroke.
The 31-year-old has been instrumental in the Magpies' incredible form this season, with the marauding full-back scoring a career-best of 10 goals this campaign in his quest to get the club back to where it belongs.
Consistency is key during intense battles across a season, with the Zimbabwean epitomising that and then some - with his name arguably the first name on the team sheet for Luke Williams.
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But not only for his performances on the pitch, but his influence off of it has been something felt not only by the fans but the Magpies chief himself when speaking on Chicksen's importance to his side.
"He is the model pro, he has been so important because of the performances on the pitch, and look at the goals he has scored, match-winning goals at times.
"But then look at the way he runs back to protect the goal like his life depends on it, the way he defends the far post when there are sustained spells of pressure and then the bits people are not likely to see is the way he concentrates in the meetings we have.
"He delivers meetings better than I do, it's embarrassing.
"But he is the example and the shining light of how to behave and how to apply yourself day in, day out over a long period of time.
"He is amazing - he is the kind of package of how we want people to respect the job of being a player for Notts County.
"And many players are in that mould but Chicks is a great example of that, a top example."
Chicksen is now one of only two players along with Matty Palmer to have featured in all 37 games of the National League season following Sam Slocombe and Kyle Cameron's recent absences from their encounters with Bromley and Dorking Wanderers respectively.
That defensive area has been a cause for concern in recent weeks following injuries to Richard Brindley and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling - with the departure of Joel Taylor confirmed yesterday also shortening Williams' defensive options.
But the Magpies boss was on hand to deliver a positive update on the pair ahead of their encounter with Eastleigh on Tuesday evening, expecting to welcome his captain back into the fold.
"He (Cameron) is available because he trained today - how much he is suffering we will never know because he is a warrior.
"For him to not make the game at the weekend, it must have felt terrible because there is no way he is going to be away from the team for anything less than feeling terrible.
"He came in today as expected and he trained with the group, so now I have the decision to make as to whether he will start or not.
"With Sam, he is getting closer to being able to train with the group.
"He is making good, steady progress but I don't want to put a timescale on that just yet because he has to come through one or two more tests before we know where he is, but he is doing well."
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