Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall has posted a poignant message on social media in a real full-circle moment.
The centre-half had to play in goal for the final 13 minutes of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Stoke after Brice Samba was red-carded late on with no substitutes remaining.
Worrall failed to keep out the resulting penalty from Lewis Baker but raised his gloves in celebration when Ryan Yates headed in a stoppage-time equaliser.
The 25-year-old has been a mainstay at the club since his transfer back from Rangers in 2019, being an ever-present figure in the Forest back line.
But it seems as though the academy graduate - who left the East Midlands for Scotland in 2018 - wasn’t always an outfield player.
Worrall took to Twitter to share a photo of himself as a youngster donning a goalkeeper’s jersey in a team photo next to a picture taken of him wearing Samba’s shirt on Saturday.
The post gained a huge response from Forest fans on the platform, some describing him as an "inspiration".
@Claire_nffc_x: Is there nothing that you won’t do for this club! Truly amazing stuff from you today.
@NFFC_U_REDS: You are the local boy becoming a cult figure of this modern era for this club. You are the definition of passion, commitment and pride! Well done for stepping up today.
@Kev_Cooper: Soon as we needed a keeper I knew you would be the one taking the gloves.
@Amanda28_84: You are an inspiration. My lad plays in defence and after the match we had a conversation (after always wanting to play more up front), you made him proud of the position he takes every Saturday morning. Thank you for inspiring young footballers like my son.
@JfAllen98: Lives and breathes Forest. Couldn’t love this man any more if I tried.
Worrall has played 163 games for Nottingham Forest across his career - but is yet to keep a clean sheet as a goalkeeper...
