MITCH Counsell has set his sights on winning a contract at St George's Lane.

The midfielder has only made three appearances for Worcester City but has already made a favourable impression.

But for the width of a post in Saturday's FA Trophy encounter with Margate he could have achieved immediate cult hero status.

The 20-year-old is a product of the Cirencester Youth Academy, one of the first non professional academies in the country, and he was regularly playing other academy sides such as Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Having beaten off competition from 700 applicants to win a place he was expecting to land a professional contract but that didn't quite go to plan.

"There were numerous scouts interested in the academy but they only took on two lads," said Counsell.

"I'd had enough and gave up football for a year and worked at Brickhampton Golf Course."

The Cheltenham-based midfielder turned his attentions to golf very successfully, bringing his handicap down to five, and with it the thought of becoming a golf professional.

"At the back of my mind I was considering a career in golf and getting my handicap down to four which you need to become a pro," he said.

"I decided to start playing football again halfway through last season at Bishop's Cleeve in the Hellenic League.

"I had a couple of mates down there and was glad to be playing again. I wish I hadn't stopped now but at the time I'd had enough training everyday for two years and then getting nothing at the end of it."

Now re-focused on his football career he is determined to make his stay at City a success and has already been won over by the crowd at St George's Lane.

"It was a brilliant atmosphere for the Margate game and the crowd was also very supportive which I appreciated," he said.

"The nerves were kicking in at the start but the lads were superb and backed me up really well.

"I still have league ambitions and want to play as high as I can but enjoy it as well.

"For now I'm hoping to win a contract at City and if that happens I would be happy."

If Counsell fulfils his early promise and makes his stay in Worcester permanent then many a City fan will reciprocate that feeling.