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The Shouting Men: Gillingham midfielder Emmanuel Osadebe writes exclusively for the KM Group

It has been an unbelievable season for me and I still can’t believe what has happened.

This time last year I didn’t have a contract and was still trying to find my feet in football.

Winning the goal-of-the-season trophy for Gillingham on Sunday was brilliant.

Emmanuel Osadebe Picture: Barry Goodwin
Emmanuel Osadebe Picture: Barry Goodwin

I was sure Rory Donnelly’s goal would win it, with his wonderful chip over the keeper against Fleetwood. His goal was all about skill and technique. With my goal against Bury, there was nobody going to stop me from scoring.

When I picked the ball up there were only four defenders in front of me. I went this way and that way and knocked it inside and I just ran ahead of one of the players. Another one was coming for me and I just put it through his legs and then finished it.

I don’t know what came over me when I scored, I just wanted to roar, I just felt ‘wow’. It was unbelievable. I had never felt like that before in football after a goal, it was the best feeling ever.

The past has been tough for me, getting a lots of nos and disappointments, but those setbacks make me appreciate what I have here 100%.

David Kerslake (assistant manager) introduced me to the manager and they have been excellent.

I grew up in Ireland but was born in Lagos, Nigeria and left there when I was three or four. I haven’t been back to Nigeria since. It looks a good place but I don’t know if I am going to go anytime soon.

My dad was a good footballer but back then in Nigeria there wasn’t the money for him to go abroad. He had offers of trials in places like France but he couldn’t get the money together.

My two brothers are also trying to get into the professional game. My younger brother is a striker and on trial at Colchester, where my family now live, while my older one is trying out at Leyton Orient. While I was in Ireland I played for Dundalk and had a few games alongside my older brother.

Read the full column in Friday's Medway Messenger

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