CHARLIE Ide has vowed to make the most of the ‘last chance’ offered by Hayes & Yeading United to get his faltering career back on track.
The 21-year-old joined the club last week on a non-contract basis and made his debut in Saturday’s eye-popping 8-0 defeat at Luton Town.
Some might say United have taken a big risk enlisting the services of a player whose off-field antics have so far eclipsed his talents on it but Ide, who successfully battled a gambling addiction, insists his troubled days are behind him.
He has plummeted down the divisions since quitting Brentford two years ago after a personality clash with boss Andy Scott, and it was at Griffin Park where Ide admits his descent into oblivion started.
Despite enjoying a fine 2006/07 season, he failed to regain his place after injury and, off the pitch, became immersed in a lifestyle that threatened to waste his talent.
Now, no fewer than six clubs later, Ide plans to repay the faith shown in him by United boss Garry Haylock by helping Hayes & Yeading secure another season in the Blue Square Premier.
"I was happy at most of the clubs I’ve been at since leaving Brentford but I just need the right manager to get me back on track," said Ide, a self-employed ceramic tile fitter.
"I lost my way a little but Garry seems like a nice bloke and hopefully things will work out.
"I want to get back up the leagues and this really is my last chance to achieve that and to prove myself. I know I can do it."
Ide made his Brentford debut at 16 and had made 55 league starts by the time he was 18. But the trappings of relative success and fame at such an impressionable age took its toll away from the pitch.
"I asked to leave Brentford as I never got on with Andy Scott," he added.
"I then ended up getting involved with the wrong people away from football and got into a lot of trouble. I was addicted to gambling and I also got into a few fights.
"Once you get yourself in a rut, it is hard to get out of it. My family helped me through it and I don’t know where I would be now had it not been for them."
Ide says he is now a reformed character and owes much of the transformation to fatherhood.
His partner of four years gave birth to a baby girl, Darcy, five months ago, and things have since started to look up.
"I want to start every game now until the end of the season and hopefully earn a deal here," added Ide.
"I wouldn’t mind being here next season. If I play well and score a few goals, hopefully I will get noticed again. I’ve had too many clubs and it would be nice to stay at one and really get into it."
