MIDFIELDER Josh Bernard is about to start out as a professional footballer at Plymouth Argyle but his path to get there has been far from a conventional one.
Most young pros at EFL clubs are graduates of their academies, but for Bernard it was different. He even ended up working on a building site for a couple of months. That was until he joined the Argyle Community Trust's football development and education programme for 16 to 18-year-olds, and it was not long before his progress on the pitch was recognised by a call-up to the academy.
After being part of the Argyle under-18s squad which topped both the EFL Youth Alliance South West Division and Merit League One last season, Bernard was rewarded for his efforts by being offered a professional contract to complete a rapid rise for him.
Bernard told Herald Sport: "It's everything I have ever wanted really. It's what every little boy dreams of. I can't wait to get going, I'm really excited. I had a trial (for the academy) when I was about 14 and didn't get in so I just kept playing DJM youth football for Parkway until I was about 16. I was a little bit lost and didn't know where to go.
"I went to the building site for about two months and then after that I took a bit of a jump and went to the community programme. I kept playing my football and four months in I got a bit of a chance with the academy and have never looked back since then."
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