He might be on the cusp of an international debut after being called up to Sam Allardyce's first England squad – but eight years ago, Michail Antonio was being shown the door by Brentford.
Back then, the West Ham winger was a raw teenager who had been tearing defences apart for Tooting & Mitcham United in Division One of the Ryman League – the fourth level of non-league football.
The summer of 2008 saw the then 18 year old land a trial with Brentford, having been recommended to the club by former Bee Carl Hutchings.
His only run-out was in a pre-season friendly against Staines Town, and despite opening the scoring that evening in a 3-0 win for the Bees at Wheatsheaf Park, Antonio did little else and his trial period was over before it has begun.
Back instead he went to Tooting before Reading took a punt on him three months later, and this time Antonio grabbed his chance with both hands, although it took a couple of years, and a number of loan spells, before he broke through at the Madejski.
Spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest followed before West Ham handed Antonio his big chance in the Premier League last year and he did not disappoint, scoring 13 goals last season and two already this term.
Was he the one that got away? To be honest, there were not many complaints from Bees fans when he wasn't given an extended trial – and there certainly weren't any complaints with the side boss Andy Scott put together for the following season as they won the League Two title in style.
In fact, the biggest talking point that night in Staines did not concern Antonio, but whether or not fellow trialist Ian Pearce would take a pay cut to join the Bees. He didn't – and it was another trialist, Mark Phillips, who signed instead and went on to form a magnificent partnership with Alan Bennett in that title-winning side.
So, what did become of the other trialists showcasing themselves alongside Antonio that night?
Ian Pearce
After turning down the chance to join Brentford, Pearce dropped into non-league with his first club, Oxted & District, and then Kingstonian, before returning to the Football League as player-assistant manager at Lincoln City under former Blackburn team-mate Chris Sutton. He then returned to Kingstonian before seeing out his career at Lingfield.
Mark Phillips
Enjoyed two successful years at Brentford, picking up a League Two winners medal in his first season, but the injury-plagued defender was released in 2010 and later played for Southend, Aldershot Town and AFC Wimbledon before spending last season at Braintree Town.
Andre Boucard
Enjoyed a longer trial period than Antonio but was ultimately also shown the door. Dropped into non-league with Kettering, York City and Luton Town before returning to the Football League with Notts County and Dagenham & Redbridge.
Miles Mitchell Coop
Former MK Dons defender who failed to break through there as well as at Brentford and dropped into non-league with Wivenhoe Town, Basingstoke Town, Waltham Abbey and Broxbourne Borough, and is currently first team physio at Hemel Hempstead after bagging a sports science degree.
