“I think when you’re almost that low, because it was low down, it was very much playing with your mates, you don’t think you can go that high.” “But everything turned out for the best, and I’m glad it’s gone the way it has.

Bad luck and Billy Davies - the story of what might have been for former Nottingham Forest midfielder Matt Thornhill.

That was at the end of uni, and that’s probably the first time I sort of thought ‘maybe I’ve got a chance’, but even then I didn’t really get my hopes up high. “I heard about trials at Kidderminster, they were professional at the time. “I literally played because I enjoy playing football. “If I’m honest, at no stage when I was at university did I think I’d ever play professional football. Joe Lolley battles for the ball (Image: Mark Fear Photography)

“I guess not many people go down that path, but I had some of the best years of my life and I met people that will be friends for life.

“I managed to go to Kidderminster and from there to Huddersfield.

Nottingham Forest explain why Barnsley match was postponed.

Then things developed quickly,” said Lolley. “I was just playing for the enjoyment of the game at university, and living a normal life so to speak. The 25-year-old forward was playing for Midland Combination League side Littleton just five years ago - and represented Great Britain at the World University Games in 2013, while he was studying sports coaching at the University of Central Lancashire.īut he went from Littleton to the big time - via Kidderminster Harriers - in just four years during a meteoric rise, winning promotion to the Premier League with Huddersfield Town last season.Īnd he’s now at the City Ground, after joining the Reds on a four-and-a-half year deal in January. Nottingham Forest’s Joe Lolley admits he never thought he would be a professional footballer not so long ago. Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice

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