Kingstonian full-back Lee Hall believes his destiny as a professional footballer remains in his hands - and he has the tattoo to remind him.

The 22-year-old was released by Fulham as a teenager and has only really established himself in non-League circles since switching to Kingsmeadow from Harrow Borough in August.

Tooting-based Hall, a satellite television installation engineer, has drifted from club-to-club since leaving Craven Cottage and seeing trials with Birmingham City and Colchester United fall through.

But he says he has finally come to terms with life outside the pro ranks after spending four years as a non-League nomad, and one of his many tattoos serves is constant reminder.

“I was gutted when I was released. You don’t really appreciate what you had until it has gone,” he added.

“I had exit trials at Lilleshall and there were club’s like Birmingham, Colchester and Bristol City interested but nothing worked out. I even started a season with Tamworth, but the travel was too much.

“Because I was at Fulham I didn’t really think a lot about school, so I’ve learnt a harsh lesson. There is nothing better than training and playing full-time. I’ve now got to combine a job with everything else, it can be a long day.

“The tattoos don’t really have much meaning, I just get them done because they are a bit addictive. There is one - the words ‘my crazy life’ - on my arm that reminds me of what things have been like for me.

“Yes, I’ve got a lot of clubs behind me, but I was just trying to get games under my belt. I’m enjoying it again here. The manager, the coach and the fans are brilliant.”

Hall has made 30 appearances under new boss Alan Dowson and in the process has re-discovered his passion for the game in a team chasing promotion to the Blue Square South.

Hall, who featured in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Cray Wanderers, has not ruled out catching Dartford at the top of the Ryman League Premier Division table.

And if Ks secure elevation - automatically or by any other means - he is hoping it will put him in the shop window for a return to the big time.

“I have never got a promotion or won a cup in my career, so it would be really nice to get a promotion on my CV,” he said.

“I’ve always said that I will give myself until I’m 25 to make it back. There is no reason why I can’t do it.

“I’ve got good experience at Fulham under my belt. I’m playing regularly and enjoying my football again. Getting to the Blue Square South is only going to help put us all in the shop window.

“All the players definitely think we have a chance. We’re not too far away from Darford. We can only keep the pressure on them and see what happens.”

Name: Lee Hall.

Date of birth: November 23, 1987.

Previous clubs: Harrow Borough, Chipstead, East Thurrock United, Corinthian Casuals, Walton & Hersham, Banstead Athletic, Sutton United, Blackpool, Fulham.

Favourite team: Liverpool.

Significant others: Two-year-old daughter Darci.

Career highs: Scoring a goal against Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar during training at Fulham. ‘That was pretty special’.

Lows: Being released by Fulham and losing the Ryman League Cup final 2-0 to Tilbury. ‘We should never have lost.’