X Factor winner Myles Stephenson could easily have made it as a footballer if his music career hadn't taken off in such dramatic fashion.
The singing sensation, who won the ITV talent show with his Watford-based boy band Rak-Su on Sunday, has played for a whole host of non-league clubs in West London.
As well as striking the right notes on stage, he has struck goals on the pitch for the likes of Northwood, Hanwell Town, North Greenford United, Hayes & Yeading and Chalfont St Peter too.
In fact, he was playing for Northwood as recently as the end of last season, before his ambitions with Rak-Su led him to hang his boots up.
And to a man, his former managers remember a top character as well as a good player who could have turned out at a higher level if fate had not intervened.
Mark Burgess, who managed Stephenson for two years at Northwood, said: “It was in his last season with us that the music started to take over. He still loved his football and tried to get down when he could but started to miss things.
“Quite a few bigger clubs were after him but he stayed with us. He knew what he wanted to pursue though, and when you get a chance like he did you have to take it. I remember he did some gigs in Watford the boys went down to.
“He is a lovely lad and was no trouble. He's very humble and won't forget where he's come from. As a player he was very athletic and would chase any loose balls, but didn't score a lot of goals until his last season with us.
“I knew he was going in for the X Factor but didn't think he would go as far as he did. Some bands have a weak week, but his never seemed to, from the very first audition. They write their own songs as well, so fair play.”
Paul Palmer, meanwhile, managed Stephenson for half a season at North Greenford United, having taken over in the hot seat midway through from former Crystal Palace striker Neil Shipperley.
“He kept the music thing under his hat really and didn't speak about it,” said Palmer. He was that sort of guy. He is a good lad with a great attitude and could definitely have made it as a footballer.
“I got him a trial at Hayes & Yeading with Phil Babb, the former Liverpool defender, but it didn't really work out and he came back to us. Deep down I think the music was his real passion, and I wish him well in it.”
Gary Meakin was another Stephenson played under, during the player's first spell at Northwood, and he said: “I think I actually gave Myles his debut. He was a talented lad but I don't think he'll be playing much football now – fair play to him though.”
Finally, Stephenson's manager at Chalfont St Peter, Danny Edwards, claims he actually had two members of Rak-Su playing for his Saints side.
“We had Ashley Fongho playing for us at the same time at Myles, so we had two of them at one stage,” Edwards said. “I saw Myles dancing in a nightclub once, and you wouldn't think he had such musical talent from seeing that!
“I don't normally watch things like X Factor, but my missus had it on so I had a little look, and they were very good.”
