“From my home in Dorset to training at Staplewood was a three-hour round trip,” explains the Wycombe midfielder, now 25.
“My parents drove that for me four times a week for three years. They never complained. All they asked was that, in return, I take my education seriously.”
Gape proved a man - or boy - of his word. Straight A’s in his GCSEs. A diploma with distinction as part of his scholarship at Saints.
And ten years on, he continues to hold up his end of the bargain by studying for a degree in business management with the Open University.
“I’m in my third year of six, so it’s a bit of a slog,” laughs Gape, who has made more than 100 appearances for the Chairboys since arriving from Southampton, initially on loan, in 2016.
Recovery
“But I’m enjoying it, and I think it’s the right thing to do. You look at Juan Mata, who has multiple degrees. Vincent Kompany has a master's in business administration. They are both players I look up to.
“It was an obvious step for me. As a youth team footballer, your days are full. Then you go into the first-team, where there are a lot more games and therefore a lot more recovery. You have a lot of downtimes and need to be off your feet.”
But doesn’t that mean jumping in a golf buggy or settling into a lengthy session of FIFA or Fortnite?
“For some people, yeah,” says Gape. “And that’s fine. If people enjoy playing video games and that takes their mind off football, great. But personally, I do need to be stimulated in a way that challenges me a little bit.
Denne historien er fra October 27, 2019-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 27, 2019-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff questioned his players’ mentality after goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s bloomer handed NonLeague Tamworth a shock win.
ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
DECISIVE goals at either end of the game from Jordan Slew and Rhys Williams helped League Two Morecambe avoid a potential banana skin against National League South outfit Worthing.
MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
Murphy's in to deny the Tigers
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.