I played with Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho at Fulham but now I'm at Bootle - I know I can get back to the top

Sonny Hilton was a standout footballer in his age groups growing up.

He often played two or three years above his age, impressing coaches with his astute dribbling and footballing intelligence. Tranmere Rovers soon took notice, acquiring his signature at just five years old.

"I got offered a contract as a kid at a certain age at Tranmere," remembers Hilton, from Dovecot, a district of Liverpool. "An agent said he didn’t think I should do it. I played against Manchester City, Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United as a kid. I was at that age, about 14, when I could leave.”

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Hilton soon had some of the country’s biggest football clubs clamouring for his signature. Everton, Liverpool and Man United all enquired, but it was Fulham who made their feelings most clearly known, inviting him to London for a trial.

"So, I got a call about going on trial at Fulham," remembers Hilton, now 23. "It was one of the ones where you hope for progression and go further. So, I went on trial, and three days later, they signed me.

"I remember, on my trial (other players) bigging me up. I’d never seen that before, in London it was a different way of life from Liverpool to London. I got to see both.

"I could play anywhere; I was a No. 10 or a winger then changed the role into an eight, six or a four."

At the tender age of 14, the Liverpudlian packed his bags and headed for the capital. Most would be intimidated by the thought of living in London, especially at such a young age . However, Hilton looked forward to the challenge ahead.

"I moved into digs, but it was