CAMERON GREEN has been in the football wilderness but the defender is determined to make the most of his big chance with Wrexham.
The left-back began the 2019-20 season with Watford under 23s and enjoyed a loan spell with Braintree Town before the National League South campaign was suspended last March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
After leaving Vicarage Road in the summer of 2020, free agent Green hadn’t played this season before former Wrexham striker Paul Hall - Under 23's Head Coach at Championship club Queens Park Rangers - recommended the 22-year-old to Reds’ boss Dean Keates.
Green joined Wrexham on non-contract terms last month following a successful trial and made his debut in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Solihull Moors, completing the end of a long journey for the defender.
“You get set-backs but you have just got to keep going, you can’t feel sorry for yourself,” said Green.
“You are going to get a lot of set-backs in football but I just believe that is going to make my success story even sweeter.
“I was just training with the B team at QPR, my local club, Paul Hall spoke to Dean and said: “Get Cameron up here”.
“Things in football can change really quickly.
“One of my coaches said an opportunity will come when you least expect it so you have just got to be ready, and take that chance.
“I have been out of football for a year and I have just been itching to play.
“All I want to do is play football, nothing else really matters to me, and the chance to come to Wrexham and play was a no-brainer.
“It is a big club with a big project - I couldn’t say no to that.”
Green, who came into the side in place of the injured Jamie Reckord, impressed on his Wrexham debut as he played his first competitive match in over a year, helping the Reds seal victory in their quest for a play-off spot.
Although he was pleased with how things went, Green is not resting on his laurels.
“I think I did okay but there is a lot more to come from me,” said Green, who was an unused substitute at Maidenhead on Monday.
“I can do a lot better but my first game back in a year, I will take that.
“There are more levels to go. I need to find my feet and not rest on that.
“I have set the bar but I know I can set it even higher.
“The next game I play, I have just got to try and improve and keep going.
“I am just trying to help the boys and if I get a chance to play more games, it is brilliant.
“It is a big push to try and get in the play-offs so you have just got to to be positive and if you get your chance, you have got to be ready.”
Green is delighted to join a club pushing for promotion but although he would like to extend his stay at The Racecourse, he is just focussed on helping Wrexham finish the job off rather than worry about his future.
“I am a big believer in just trying to do what you can in the present, don’t think too far in the future because you can take your eye off the ball,” said Green.
“If I play like I know I can play, who knows what can happen. You have just got to keep going.
“I want to effect the game going forward and I want to be strong defensively.
“To be in a first team environment where you are pushing for promotion at any level is brilliant.
"I am fully aware of what is going on here and you can’t complain, it is what you dream of!
“But you can’t focus too much on the future, you have got to take each game as it comes.
“I am only here until the end of the season but I would love to extend my stay.”
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