Sunderland's Bosman signing Keiren Westwood admits rejection by Manchester City almost sent him into the police force!
Dreams of playing Barclays Premier League football were shattered as Westwood started the process of resurrecting his career in the Conference with Carlisle, and he admits that in many ways, it was the best thing that could have happened to him.
He said: "Obviously Manchester City is a massive club and when you are there as a kid, you get a bit side-tracked with stars in your eyes because you are training with people you have watched growing up.
"Being released was a big eye-opener and something I needed. Maybe if I hadn't been released, I wouldn't be where I am now.
"I have done things the hard way and it gives you that hunger and desire to achieve.
"Being let go as a young boy at Manchester City at 19 was obviously a kick in the teeth, but the kick up the bum I needed to kick-start my career."
Westwood's exit from City prompted an often frustrating search for a new club, and he was in the process of applying to join the police force when then Carlisle boss Paul Simpson handed him a lifeline.
He said: "I had a really bad summer getting passed from pillar to post, on trial here, on trail there and nothing ever working, being promised contracts and then having them taken away.
"It was one of those summers. I was close to being a policemen, signing up for the force.
"I was filling out forms, and then I got a call saying, 'Come up to Carlisle'. I did and have not looked back, really.
"From that day, I have said to myself, 'Look, to get anything in this life, you have to work hard and try to achieve it'."
