Hibs striker Christian Doidge insists he is planning to lay down the law to Premiership defences after revealing how he worked for the police.
Doidge joined from Forest Green Rovers in a £300,000 move last month – but just six years earlier he walked the beat as a community support officer for South Wales Police while playing for part-timers Carmarthen Town.
The 26-year-old, whose dad was a chief inspector in the force, had taken a complete break from the game following his release at Bristol Rovers at the age of 15 before working his way back up the ladder.
Doidge also turned out for Dagenham & Redbridge and admits he is thrilled to have swapped handcuffs for football boots.
Speaking ahead of today’s Betfred Cup visit of Alloa, Doidge said: “I suppose it hurt a bit being released but it gave me the opportunity to go and do something else, to concentrate on school stuff, get myself a few jobs.
“I got the bug back when I started playing for friends again and enjoying it.
“I was a police community support officer for about six months and I really enjoyed it.
“It was a unbelievable job just being in the community and probably something I would have done career-wise probably for the rest of my life, I have a few friends and family in the police force.
“It’s a little bit different, I get a bit of stick for it but I met some great people.
“It was community based, walking about the streets speaking to people and making them feel at ease, I feel I am quite good at that.
“My mate was a builder so I also worked with him for a while too – I’ve done so many jobs.”
Doidge, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Bolton before being recalled in January due to a bitter transfer wrangle with Forest Green, admits his upbringing has made him appreciate his life in football even more.
Didoge, who also took up basketball during his time away from the game, added: “Definitely, I speak to my friends daily and they’re telling me the hours they’re doing and it makes you realise how much you want it.”
