New Ayr United striker Sam Ashford admits it took him years to fall back in love with football after being shown the door at Tottenham Hotspur.
As a teenager in the White Hart Lane Youth Academy, the striker had stars in his eyes.
But while close pals like Harry Winks went on to make the Premiership grade, a young Ashford was cut adrift by the London giants.
The frontman readily admits it took him a long time to get over the news that his career had been stopped in its tracks.
But now he is on a long and winding road back to redemption - and determined to make up for lost time.
Ashford has penned an 18 month deal to become Lee Bullen's third signing of the January transfer window.
He told the Ayrshire Post: "I went to Spurs when I was only eight, and like any kid it was a dream come true to be in that kind of environment.
"Harry Winks is one of my really close mates and played in the same year group as me, so it's been great to watch his progression.
"But when I was given the news about my release, it definitely knocked my confidence. I was young and took it personally.
"For a few years I went and played Sunday league with my mates just to get back my enjoyment for the game more than anything.
"I suppose it would have been easy to have a chip on my shoulder and think 'I'm better than this' but I just wanted to play football and score goals."
Ashford began banging in goals for little known Stansted FC in the Essex League as he kicked off his long and winding return.
The 26-year-old added: "I came back late to the senior game and always felt I had to work harder to prove myself because of that.
"Most other lads had come through full Academy setups whereas I'd dropped down to non league to get going again.
"When I was down there, I was selected for the England 'C' team, which is the country's non league side.
"We played out in the Falkland Islands and it was a great experience, which probably helped me get noticed a bit more."
Regular scoring spells at Witham Town (managed by dad Mark) and Hemel Hempstead eventually won Sam a move to League Two side Crawley Town.
He insisted: "I feel I've proved I can perform at that level.
"It hasn't worked out at Crawley but I'm determined to come up here and take the chance at Ayr.
"I had non league clubs in England who were in for me but I wanted to wait on this move.
"It's a great opportunity and lots of players are seeing Scotland as a good place to come and play their football now.
"I just want to make the most of the opportunity I've been given up here.
"I played with Ben [Dempsey] on loan at Woking last year so it's great to see him up here as well and hopefully we can enjoy a good time of it."
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