I LEARNED FROM THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS

JOE Kizzi took the long road to reach the Football League. The versatile defender had just turned 28 when EFL new boys Sutton United signed him up. Earlier stints at Eton Manor, Enfield 1893, Waltham Abbey, Cheshunt, Wingate & Finchley, Billericay Town and Bromley saw him develop into one of the top defenders in the Non-League game.

- By JOHN LYONS

He returned to the National League with Barnet last summer and helped them win promotion in an injury-plagued campaign. Here he gives us the lowdown on his career highs and lows...

FIRST CLUB

Eton Manor in the Essex Senior League when I was around 18. It was my first taste of Saturday competitive football. I hadn't played academy football, just Saturday or Sunday league for local teams before that.

This was proper men's football, playing in the FA Cup extra pre-liminary round, and I really enjoyed it. You are just playing free. Yes, there was some pressure to win but nowhere near as much as when you go further up.

It was brilliant and if I could go back and experience it again, I would for the fun and laughs with your mates.

BEST MANAGER

I would have to say my old Sutton boss Matt Gray. I played my best football under him and he brought me into the Football League. I made Team of the Season in my first year and also played at Wembley.

One of Matt's strengths is that he doesn't overcomplicate things. It's a simple game, he knows what he's good at and gets in the right players to fit his system.

If you went to him with problems, he was sympathetic. He knew people had lives at home and that we weren’t making £30-£40,000 a week. He was good on all fronts.

I also have to mention my former Billericay boss Harry Wheeler. I really enjoyed playing football under him and I respect what he did in the Glenn Tamplin (owner) era. There was a lot going on and he had to steady the ship. The fact we won a treble speaks volumes.

FIRST PROMOTION

It was with Billericay from the Ryman Premier to Conference South (2017-18). We were in a fight for the title with Dulwich Hamlet and won it with a game to spare. I hadn't scored a goal all season so it was a nice touch when I scored in the game in which we clinched the title.