QPR new arrival Ben Gladwin started his career with 15 minutes of infamy after totally ignoring his boss.
The £1.5 million buy from Swindon was told by Tristan Lewis whatever you do, don’t get booked.
Guess what? Gladwin was carded the said 15 minutes after making his debut for Hayes & Yeading away to Ebbsfleet in the Conference.
This was appropriately Boxing Day, 2011, and Gladwin was removed at half time for his own protection. His side lost 3-1.
But Lewis, back with Hayes as manager, admits he’s not surprised the midfielder has gone on to greater things culminating with his million-pound move to Rs last week.
The one eyebrow raiser for Lewis is how a seemingly quiet lad has developed self belief in spades.
“The one thing I’m slightly surprised at was his mental development,” Lewis explained. “He’s come on so quickly in that area and it just shows what confidence can do for you.
“He was a young lad at Reading who didn’t quite make the grade when I was there at the academy. I looked after their 16 to 18 college programme and he came on that for two years.
“When I moved over to my Pro Direct Soccer Academy role he came with me and did another year then before doing an apprentice where he was coaching and training.
“I was assistant at Hayes & Yeading at the time and he was doing really well so we decided to bring him over there and give him a go.
“He made his debut away at Ebbsfleet. We told him not to get booked and he got booked after 15 minutes. We took him off at half time.”
Lewis revealed there was no doubting his football skills - it was a case of whether he would be strong enough in all senses (see video above for Gladwin goals).
“It was difficult because he was such a young lad but there was absolutely no question that he was good enough, it was just whether he was mentally and physically strong enough,” the manager said..
“He went to Marlow to get some games, did really well, so we brought him back but the manager, Nas Bashir, was under pressure at the time to get results.
“It was timing thing really that he didn’t get games for us. It’s difficult to put a young lad in at that stage when you are desperate for points and fighting relegation.
“Of course, with hindsight, it would’ve been good to give him some more game-time but we couldn’t at that stage but it wasn’t to be.”
Instead, there was a move from Marlow to Swindon in 2013 (see video for Gladwin interview), and a terrific last season where he made 41 appearances scoring 11 goals for the beaten League One play-off finalists.
Lewis reckons he and Gladwin can see clearly now.
“He always had the ability and he’s come through,” said the manager. “It’s fantastic for him. I’m delighted for him and there’s no surprise from me to see him get the move.
“Ben’s a great lad and he has great ability. He’s done it at Swindon and there’s no reason he can’t do it at QPR,” added Lewis.
