Defender-turned-goalscoring midfielder Aaron Goode knows that if anyone can revive his hopes of a professional career, it is Tooting & Mitcham boss Billy Smith.
Starmaker Smith can lay claim to discovering such gems as Ian Wright, Andy Gray and Alan Pardew, and his connections have paved the way for Chris Dickson, Dorian Smith and Michail Antonio to make the step up to the pro ranks.
Goode, who spent three years at QPR before dropping into non-league football, has set his sights on rebuilding his professional career.
Until that happens, the 20-year-old is more than happy to bide his time with the Terrors.
Goode says: “I do not do anything apart from play football.
“I spend a lot of time in the gym, keeping myself fit and hoping for a chance.
“My only ambition is to get back into professional football and, with Billy guiding you, you know you always get an opportunity.
“He is the perfect manager – he does not shout at you, he just encourages the players and you are not afraid to try things or make mistakes.
“He has a great track record of spotting players and getting them to a higher level, and I hope I can be another one.”
Goode, who grew up in Battersea, started out in football at a very young age before another familiar name put him on the path to success.
He said: “Although none of my family had any interest in football, I always had a ball at my side when I was a kid.
“I always used to play with the kids a lot older than me so I could get a game.
“I was pretty big back in the day so, although I liked to play in midfield, I got put in defence.
“I played for Motspur Park and Worcester Park, and then Alan Dowson asked me to go to Walton & Hersham when I was 16. I spent a bit of time on the bench there, but then Alan recommended me to Gary Waddock at QPR and things really took off.”
Goode signed on YTS terms at Loftus Road, helping Rangers to the youth team title before moving on to the reserves.
But, as things were taking off for the club with the interest of Formula One chiefs Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, Goode’s aspirations were heading in the opposite direction.
He said: “QPR got taken over by the big-money men and I knew then that my time was limited as they could buy whoever they wanted.
“It was not really a surprise when I was released.
“I just wanted to be playing football and, when someone suggested Tooting, I thought I’d give it a go.”
The Terrors proved the right fit for Goode, who was a fixture in defence as the club enjoyed a successful first season in the Ryman Premier League last time out.
Smith has employed him in midfield in the early stages of this campaign – after trying him there at the end of last season – and he again flourished, firing four goals in seven games to date.
He added: “Billy gave me the chance last season and I thought, if that is where he wants me to play, I had better get fitter, so I put a lot of work in the gym over the summer.
“I have lost a bit of weight and got a lot stronger, and things are really paying off.
“I am loving my football at the moment and I just want to help Tooting do well.”
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