When Jack Stacey pulled on an AFC Bournemouth shirt for his Premier League debut against Everton on 15 September it was with a sense of pride after the young defender's progress from the lower reaches of English football.
"It marks quite a long journey through the leagues and obviously the dream was always to play in the Premier League and to achieve that is something I’m really proud of," Stacey told AFC Bournemouth's official website after receiving his Premier League Debut Ball.
Stacey recalls Premier League journey
Signed from Luton Town in the summer, after loan spells at Barnet, Carlisle United and Exeter City while a youngster at Reading, Stacey said there were moments when he doubted he would realise his Premier League ambition.
"There were times when I was left out of the squad [at Barnet] and I thought, 'I’m a long way away from where I want to be, really,' " the 23-year-old right-back said.
"But I’ve always believed in myself and I had something to work towards to achieve that.
"Obviously it’s not the end now, but it’s the start of something, hopefully to go and kick on again."
