Cod Army newcomer Harvey Saunders was working in a coffee shop just last week, but after impressing at Darlington he is now looking forward to becoming a full-time footballer at Fleetwood Town.
The 21-year-old penned a two-and-a-half-year deal with Fleetwood on Wednesday, but will finish off this season at Darlington, after scoring 11 goals this campaign for the National League North side.
On his progression from hot drinks to hot prospect, he said: “I handed my notice in and last week was my last shift!
“It’s come so fast, it was perfect timing to be honest. I’m very excited to have joined such a fantastic football club.
“It’s not sunk in really, it really is amazing what they’ve got here. I think it’s the best place I could possibly come to develop myself as well.”
It’s no secret that Town provided one of the greatest non-league to stardom stories in Jamie Vardy, and Saunders is well aware of the history the club has for improving talent from the lower divisions
“In the past obviously Vardy’s been here, people like that, people have done it from the non-leagues and progressed through it and I think this is the best club for it.
“This is the club where, you think of Fleetwood and you think of Vardy coming through and he is the best example of what you can achieve.”
Hailing from the north-east, it will be Saunders’ first club outside County Durham, but he says is relishing the opportunity to begin training at Poolfoot Farm while finishing the season with Darlington.
“I get to finish off the season with Darlington, the club I’ve been with for a couple of years now and I’m very thankful for everyone there for what they’ve done to help progress me to this point.
“Then obviously I can kick on here and really progress. It’s been a dream ever since I can remember but I never actually thought it would come to this point now.
“I’m over the moon.”