AFTER failing to make it at Aston Villa as a 15 year-old, he joined his local non-League club, Chelmsley Town in the Midland Combination whilst also studying to become a qualified builder.

Finding himself regularly on the scoresheet, his prowess in front of goal alerted the attention of The Saddlers who brought him to the Banks's Stadium, initially on trial, in December 2006.

Immediately joining Halesowen Town on loan where he bagged eight goals in just ten outings, the hard-working and strong front-man put pen to paper on his first professional deal here at the Banks's Stadium in March 2006.

Getting his first taste of first-team action with a substitute appearance at Torquay towards the end of 2006/07 to really whet his appetite, he is another youngster who put pen to paper on a contract extension in May 2007 and went on to figure regularly for the first-team in 2007/08.

He really came to the fore in 2008/09, where he ended the campaign with 12 goals to his name after revelling under the guidance of Chris Hutchings and Martin O'Connor.

He won the Goal of the Season prize for his sweet strike at Scunthorpe as well as finishing runner-up for Young Player of the Season.