They say everybody deserves a shot at redemption, but Ross County forward Inih Effiong has had to work harder than most to reverse his incredible backstory.
A troubled lifestyle which saw Effiong become embroiled in London gang culture came to a head three years ago, when he served a three-month prison sentence due for what was claimed to be a misunderstanding over a drug offence.
Although it was short-lived, Effiong’s time behind bars provided him with a life-defining moment.
A realisation he was spending his time in bad company, coupled with the new responsibility of bringing up his young son Reuben, gave him the kick start required to turn his life around.
That journey began after he was given a second chance by Biggleswade Town, of the Southern League Premier Division, which he combined with his 11-hour day full-time job working as a sales executive for a mobile phone company.
After signing his first full-time contract with Barrow last January, Effiong moved on to Woking last summer, where a productive spell of 10 goals in 34 games saw him catch the eye of Staggies manager Owen Coyle who signed him on an 18-month deal last week.
County are his 10th club and his first move outwith the English non-league setup, but the 26-year-old’s path to Dingwall has been anything but straightforward.
Effiong said: “I had a lot going on in my past life, living in London and hanging around with people I shouldn’t have been. You get caught up in things you shouldn’t.
“I grew up in a place in north-west London called Stonebridge. It’s a pretty rough area. There was a situation where one of my mum’s friends’ sons, who I knew, was murdered.
“My older brother was on the streets as well, not doing the best of things, so my mum moved us away.
“The lowest point for me was about three years ago when I was actually in jail.
“It was a situation with friends, where there was drugs in my car but it was nothing to do with me – there were no fingerprints or anything like that.
“The police pulled me over and saw what was there, and put me in jail straight away. I had previous before that, so they automatically thought it was me.
“In the end I was convicted but it wasn’t for what they originally wanted it for.
“I was sitting inside watching Football Focus on a Saturday thinking ‘what has it come to?’
“I was getting locked up and sent to bed at 5pm, when the games had only just finished.
“That’s when it hit me I needed to get out of this situation I was in. I just needed to get away from the people that had caused it and start afresh.
“The past three years has literally been me knuckling down. My whole life has just been crazy with getting involved in police and things like that.
“I’ve had to strip it all back, and since having my son as well it’s been a big factor in me concentrating and working hard for him.”
In his lowest moments, Effiong could never have envisaged having the chance that could come his way tomorrow, if Coyle selects him to face Rangers in the Staggies’ Premiership encounter at Victoria Park.
Effiong is confident he can handle the step up, and he added: “It’s a massive change. They have just had a game away to Solihull Moors in Birmingham before 600 fans. The game here will be sold out and live televised to audiences all over the world.
“I’m relishing every moment. It is a big step up to a level I’m still getting used to, with the pace of the game. I know it is a level that once I get used to, I can handle. I’ve always scored goals wherever I’ve gone.”