SEARS AND YEARS

Instant hero Freddie eyeing one more special moment

- DARREN WELLS

IT TOOK just five minutes and 16 seconds for Freddie Sears to make himself a household name.

Now, over 17 years on from scoring the winner on his West Ham debut, he is hoping an FA Cup giant-killing can provide him with the perfect swansong.

Sears (celebrating right with Bobby Zamora) was just 18 when he came off the bench to net for the Hammers against Blackburn in the Premier League in March 2008.

Despite a long and successful career since, it is that goal which people still ask him about most to this day.

But he is hoping to put his name up in lights one more time when eighth-tier Maldon & Tiptree travel to League One Port Vale tomorrow.

Sears, 35, said: "You'd be surprised how many people come up to me and say, 'I was there for your debut at West Ham'. It feels like a lifetime ago now."