PLAYING in non-league football was the best thing that could have happened to me at the start of my career.

I was at Southend, but I wasn’t getting the minutes I needed to be able to develop my career and getting them in non-league was exactly what I needed.

Before I actually went to Grays I had a loan spell with Farnborough, where Dean Austin was manager.

He was great and became a mentor for me because I don’t think people realise how tough football can be mentally at times.

But he’s been through it all in his own playing career and even now he’s someone I still talk to.

However, my main spell in non-league was with Grays Athletic and I loved it there.

I was lucky I had a really, really good manager in Mark Stimson and he brought my game on so much while I was there. Nowadays, you see youngsters playing for the under 23s at the top clubs but there comes a time when you need to go out and play competitive men’s football, whatever the level. Non-league is still a good standard and there is three points to be played for so there’s far more at stake for both teams.

There’s real passion and everyone involved is doing it for the love of their local club which I think is great.

The fans get right behind the team and I would certainly recommend any young player to go into non-league. We had a really good team at Grays and winning the FA Trophy is still right up there with my favourite memories in football.

I’m still in touch with my old team-mates like Glenn Poole and Aaron McLean and I really did learn a lot about football during my time there.

Doing well there got me my move to Wolves and from there I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy a good career in the game.

But I’m not sure any of that would have been possible without my spell in non-league.

I personally think more young players should go and do it and it’s much better for you and your development than playing in under 23 games which are often a million miles away from first team football.