Liverpool signing Rickie Lambert admits being rejected as a 15 year-old left him devastated.
The 32-year-old, who is in Brazil as part of England's World Cup squad, played for Blackpool, Macclesfield, Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers before joining Southampton in 2009 and working his way up through the leagues.
"I can remember very clearly the day Liverpool let me go," said Lambert. "I remember being told by Steve Heighway and then going home and staying in my room for hours.
"I was devastated. Dad came up after a few hours and just said 'keep your head up son, you're a great player, you'll show them'. Dad is over the moon now and Liverpool means everything to him, he's supported them all his life."
