After nine years at the Millwall academy and a brief stint at Southend United, Higgins' life was at a crossroads. Unsure if he had a future in the full-time game, Higgins dipped his toes in Non-League waters and the rest, as they say, is history.
Fast forward 16 years and Higgins has established himself as one the part-time game's most decorated figures, scoring a whopping 403 career goals and picking up an unrivalled haul of collective and individual accolades along the way.
Undoubtedly his highlight was an iconic first spell at East Thurrock United, which yielded 275 goals and no fewer than four Golden Boots, at Steps 2, 3 and 4. He also won the Isthmian Premier and North division titles and steered the Rocks to a maiden Essex Senior Cup success.
Then, at Hornchurch, he lifted the FA Trophy at Wembley and Isthmian Premier title as well as a Player of the Year and Golden Boot double.
Add further success at Chelmsford City (two spells), Bromley and Canvey Island and you begin to get some idea as to the overall impact that the popular striker had, mainly in his native Essex and surrounding areas.
But, this week, picking after United, finally up a heel injury while playing for Hashtag Higgins called time on his glittering career, met by a social media fanfare from past clubs, managers, teammates and fans.
Denne historien er fra October 27, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 27, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football 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
ENSIGN TEEN IS TAYLOR MADE!
WHITE Ensign boss Aaron Bloxham has hailed teenage talent Taylor Jacobi after his stoppage-time winner created history.
RAMADAN A RHYTHM IS BACK IN AT BLUES!
CEMAL RAMADAN reckons Bury Town have got back into their rhythm- but knows the Isthmian North title race is going to be a long haul.
DECRUZ IS SINGING THE BLUES FOR DREAM TIE
MERSTHAM manager Jamie Decruz says it would be \"crazy\" not to stage his side's glamour FA Youth Cup tie with Chelsea anywhere other than Stamford Bridge.
GLASSBOYS'JORDAAN IS A SCROOGE FOR BUCKS!
STOURBRIDGE snatched a dramatic stoppage time equaliser to seal a share of the points following a pulsating contest with promotion rivals Telford.
CLINICAL CALLUM HITS THE BULLSEYE
DARTFORD their D place in the play-off places as a 79th-minute goal from Callum Jones gave Adrian Pennock's side all three points.
ARDLEY'S OFF TO A WINNER!
NEAL Ardley got off to a winning start as Woking boss with victory over play-off chasing Altrincham and then admitted the Robins have set the mantra he would like the Cards to follow.
MADINE'S A MARVEL AT POOLS
GARY Madine's third goal in a Hartlepool United shirt fired his team to within two points of the National League play-offs after a dramatic victory over Yeovil Town.
BEES RATTLED BY TOP TOWN
BARNET slipped behind York City at the top of the National League after they were held to a draw by FC Halifax Town - a result thoroughly deserved by the Shaymen who battled for the whole game and gave the Bees barely a sight of goal.
Rovers denied by resilient Shots
DISAPPOINTED Steve Cotterill believes that his side had enough chances to beat Aldershot Town after dropping two points in their title quest.
KEEPER JOS REVELS AS GOAL HERO
IF you think goalkeepers never score, you must be Bark-ing mad.
