From the World Cup to the football wilderness — that was the nightmare journey endured by goalkeeper Kelvin Jack before he joined Southend United.
The 33-year-old figured enjoyed a career high when he played between the sticks for Trinidad and Tobago in Germany during 2006.
But, two years later, he suffered a broken leg while on trial at Barnsley and consequently spent 15 months on the sidelines.
“When things go well a lot of players tend to forget how frail this occupation is and it wasn’t nice being out for that length of time,” said Jack.
“It took me about 15 months to be able to even start training and then it is about getting your fitness back, your timing and your confidence.
“I think that is the biggest thing but now I am feeling good, feeling fresh and I’m ready to crack on with it.
“I’m delighted to be back in the game.”
During his spell out injured, Jack helped set up www.flaghealthcare.com — a company devised to give sexual health advice to countries affected by HIV.
Their product supplier, Pasante Healthcare is now the largest supplier of condoms to the NHS in the UK and Jack remains proud of what they have achieved.
“HIV is a big world-wide problem and anyone could get it,” said the keeper.
“I’ve known people who have had it and it’s a very serious issue, so I have enjoyed working with healthcare.com.
“It also gave me something else to focus on while I was injured.”
Jack has now regained full fitness though and is grateful for the chance he has been given with Blues, who he has actually been training with since the start of the season.
“Southend have been very good to me,” said Jack, who has signed for Southend on a non-contract basis.
“The skipper here Adam Barrett is a close friend of mine, we went to school together in America and he spoke to Lee Turner to see if he could help get me fit.
“It’s been brilliant and I’ve really enjoyed being here.
“I never thought about quitting once as I have a very supportive wife and family.
“Lee deserves some credit for that also as he was very positive.
“He pushes me and I am really, really grateful for that.”
Jack will now provide cover and competition for the club’s first choice keeper Steve Mildenhall while also aiming to regain top form.
“My target is to get back to the level that I was at before the injury and I think that is very attainable,” said Jack.
“You never know what could happen, obviously Steve is playing well, but I’m there to push him as best as I can.”