Wycombe’s Scott Kashket quit football after being written off… but is finally wowing with prolific form
SCOTT KASHKET has had so many knockbacks in his short career, it is a wonder he is playing at all.
At just 20, he has already endured being written off for being too small, trials at big clubs ruined by injury and being frozen out of his boyhood club.
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The tricky forward even gave up the game altogether aged 15, believing he could not go on amid crippling self-doubt.
But Kashket had the mental fortitude to keep fighting, which has finally paid dividends with ten goals in 11 games for Wycombe Wanderers – including one yesterday in the 2-0 win over Notts County.
While most youngsters are academy-bound from an early age, Kashket's school coaches thought his tiny frame would never see him progress.
He took up futsal, the skilful indoor five-a-side game for Great Britain's Jewish team - Kashket a rare British Jewish footballer - and he believes those assets set him apart from other footballers in the lower leagues.
He told SunSport: "Everyone told me I was too small for the men's game. When the time came to decide if football was an actual profession. I wasn't sure, as everyone doubted my ability.
"I quit and took up futsal, which made me more confident on the ball in tight areas; you don't panic when there are people around you - and in League 2, that is a valuable skill."
In 2012, a pal sent a video of his futsal skills to a host of clubs - and soon, he was signed by Spanish Serie B side Hercules.
He added: "It was too good an opportunity despite being just 16. But no-one spoke English and I was really homesick. I spent three months there, then did my cruciate and ended having to come home.
"Even though I struggled, it helped my play so much. Loads of little continental-style habits I still use in my game in England today."
Kashket's natural trickery has always set him apart from other English players, which is why after signing for Leyton Orient in 2014, Israeli giants Maccabi Tel Aviv offered him a week's trial.
Yet injury struck again for Kashket, this time ankle ligaments on the very first day - but eventually, after some stunning youth performances at Orient, he broke into the first team.
However, the club's erratic Italian owner Francesco Becchetti took a peculiar dislike to Kashket, the start of yet another nightmare.
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He said: "I wish I knew to this day what the powers that be at Orient had against me. One game last season under former boss Andy Hessenthaler, I was stripped and ready to come on - and some Italian ran down and told Hess: 'anyone can come on except for Kashket'.
"It carried on until last pre-season, whenI not allowed to travel on the tour, and then was made to train alone or with the youth team.
"The Italians blamed it on Hessenthaler not fancying me, but I knew he rated me. It was humiliating, they blocked me from playing and tried to ruin my career.
"I have no clue where it started, but all I can say is I am happy to be out of there - it was toxic there."
And despite all his tribulations, the move to Wycombe has finally allowed the Essex-born forward to release the shackles with ten goals this season, including his first career hat-trick in the 5-0 FA demolition of League 1 Chesterfield.
He has helped Gareth Ainsworth's Chairboys win their last seven games - and saw Kashket sign a new long term deal last week.
A major factor in the little man's development has been an unlikely partnership with giant striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, who also scored and was sent off on Saturday.
Kashket added: "Bayo speaks to me and helps me out. You know with him that when the ball will stick and that helps with my runs, it gives me time on the ball and chances.
"He tells me on what he wants to do on the pitch and he acts as a mentor off it too - it's helping me so much.
"The new deal makes me feel like I am truly wanted for the first time. I just had to play regularly to prove to everyone I am good enough - and I want to show clubs that I can play at the highest level."
The Chesterfield hat-trick showed he can compete and score against higher level teams already - and that is testament to a player who kept on fighting despite so nearly packing it all in.
He said: "I've been knocked back so many times. Loads of kids get their heart broken when they are told they will not make it in the game and they cannot get their head back to start again.
"I somehow had the strength to do so, and luckily for me, it is finally paying off. You need to believe in yourself in football - because if you don't, then no-one else will."