Was a striker up until about 11, was always tall for my age and was basically the Peter Crouch of our league. My passing was always better than my shooting, though, so when we got another lad who was decent up top I got put in midfield and set loads of goals up, but I hated running, so when we had our goalkeeper leave, it was only right to stick the tall kid in goal - turns out I was pretty decent and then I stayed there.
Had a summer where we played the kids tournaments, won all of them captaining 3 out of 4. Then first year of secondary school our school team won everything in Northamptonshire and played in the National Cup (KO'd first round) and some decent level small-sided tournaments at places like the Power League opposite Pride Park.
After that I played for Corby Town's and Kettering Town's Youth Teams, did well at Corby but the academy age group folded and then had a real shocker at Kettering - all my confidence was devoid and it was at around 15 that I lost my love of playing in goal after playing against some EFL and non-league academy sides, who were completely different level to anything that I'd played against before. I was mentally just too weak to compete with kids (and play on the same team as some) who were straight up assholes. Technically I had it, but I wasn't able to match a lot of the other lads' arrogance that gave the peers the competitive edge at that standard. I then started drinking and smoking and that was my hopes done of playing at a good level.
Got back into it a couple years ago playing U18 footy in the same league as Kettering, Corby and AFC Rushden & Diamonds (played a game for their U18 side too, after I'd played well against them and their keeper got a knock - unfortunately messed that chance up, too), and now play adults' saturday footy with my mates. I do often think "what could have been", but think most of us do! Reality is I was probably never good enough, and from 13 to 18 only grown 1 inch to be 6'0", so probably a bit short as well!