“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
LUKE BOOSTED BY WALES ACE LIAM
Swans bid to mark new era in style...
MATT'S DELIGHT OVER RECORD
WYCOMBE boss Wanderers Matt Bloomfield hailed his history-makers after victory at Lincoln City.
TON-UP IAN ENJOYS HIS SPECIAL WIN
AN Evatt described his 100th win as Bolton boss as very special, although he needed Aaron Collins' injurytime goal to bring up the three figures.
DONS LACK A CLINICAL EDGE AS SADDLERS GRAB POINTS
NATHAN Lowe's strike inspired promotion-chasing Walsall to victory over AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
SUB GRIMES IS IN-SPIRED TO HEAD THE WINNER
CAPTAIN Jamie Grimes headed in a late winner for Chesterfield after a game of very few chances appeared destined to remain goalless.`
COBBLERS TEST IN TROPHY FOR POSH
HOLDERS Peterborough United have been drawn against fellow League One side Northampton Town in the Round of 32 of the newly-named Vertu Trophy.
HORNETS REMINDED OF GRAY'S BRILLIANCE
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight as Plymouth extended their unbeaten league home run to six after Andre Gray's last-gasp leveller.
MARTI DOUBTING JOB AFTER DRAW
Rangers home run continues
BIG MAC'S ON TARGET TO SEE OFF THE TIGERS
LUTON boss Rob Edwards felt it was a very good day at the office as his team turned in a gritty performance to beat Hull.
Rohl confident Owls
DANNY Rohl said getting results is the only thing missing as his Owls were held at home by Cardiff.