Up until this week, Freddy Eastwood was a name recognised largely in the lower leagues, but on Tuesday night the Southend striker shot himself into the spotlight on a national scale after his brilliant free kick knocked mighty Manchester United out of the Carling Cup.
Eastwood from a Romany background, and a father at 16, began his professional career at West Ham but poor time keeping and the difficulties he encountered adjusting to the culture of professional football were part of the reasons for his release at the age of 18. Disillusioned, Eastwood then turned down approaches from a string of professional clubs and instead went to work in his family's car trade whilst playing part-time for non-league Grays Athletic.
Stories of his attitude and a reluctance to dedicate all his efforts into the game were still being muted when Southend offered to take Eastwood on loan in 2003. Certainly Southend manager Steve Tilson wasn't discouraged.
He recalls: "Rumours go around about every player. People said he's a bad apple. But we knew Freddy because he was here as a schoolboy and we've never had a problem with him. I dont think his background has anything to do with anything. His character is different class. I've never had one problem since he's been here.
"He's a homeboy. I'm not sure he's go right up north. If Sunderland came in, for example, I don't think he'd go. Man United are his team, so he might do that. Playing with Wayne Rooney up front!"
Eastwood attended the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools as a youngster, as did former England captain David Beckham. He then rejected Southend's offer of a scholarship in favour of West Ham, but eventually arrived at Roots Hall via Grays for a fee of around £50,000.
He scored just seven seconds into his debut against Swansea, finishing the game with a hat-trick before going on to net 24 goals in his first season. Aston Villa are one of the clubs reported to be on Eastwood's trail but Southend chairman Ron Martin insists the player is not for sale. Yet, the Shrimpers will find it difficult to turn down a substantial offer from a Premiership club, even though Grays are entitled to 15 per cent of any future sale.
Tilson added: "I'm sure he can play at a higher level but anyone who comes in will have to put the money on the table. If Dave Nugent's worth £5 million at Preston, Freddys as good. It's no good coming in with £1 million because we won't sell him and I've told Freddy that.
"We had an offer from Derby earlier this year but it was nowhere near anything he was worth. How do you replace him? But, if a Premiership side come in, it's down to the chairman."
Eastwood's former boss at Grays, Mark Stimson, added: "People talk about off-field problems but I never had any. He comes from a fantastic family. His dad never missed a game. His background is different to some people because he is a Gypsy, but he's a lovely lad."
