Kayden Jackson: How Derby County striker won a competition to get his career started

He has been quick to make an impression at Derby, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 11 appearances.

Jackson has started eight games in the Championship this season – one fewer than he managed across the entire league campaign last term.

For Jackson, it adds to his story of perseverance.

“I had trials at Bradford and Leeds, but didn’t quite make the grade, but those experiences were eye-opening for me because beforehand I looked at professional footballers as these godlike figures and I could only dream of being in their shoes,” he said.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I was good enough. I didn’t think I had the ability because I never really had that academy learning – players are technically taught so much and I literally had my family there guiding me, saying you can do this better and that better.”

That guidance and existence outside the traditional development pathway has given Jackson an unusual perspective of what it takes to sustain a career in the game.

“I thought I missed out on a hell of a lot of coaching, and because of that I wasn’t sure how far I could actually go,” he said.

“So when I was told something, I took it on board. I didn’t think I knew everything, whereas in football nowadays kids think they know everything. They think they can get through the game without listening – without taking information on board.

“Work ethic, humility and the constant want to keep improving can get you further than ability alone.

“It wasn’t the conventional route into football, as much as I’d have liked it to be. I was patient, but thankfully I persevered and I’m sat here today.”

It is at Derby’s Moor Farm training base that Jackson opens up about his remarkable journey, and yet he is quick to say that he is “not one to keep looking back” when asked about the success his final two years at Ipswich brought.

Instead, he is more interested in focusing on his future at Derby, who sit mid-table after a solid start the campaign.

“In terms on reflecting, you don’t get much time,” Jackson said.

“I want to keep looking forward because we have a job to do here.”