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Ryan McLean has told the Shropshire Star that turning professional hasn't given him more money.
The former Hereford player is now full time at AFC Wimbledon.
"I am a late starter in the professional game, I get that. But everyone has a different pathway.
“Turning pro isn’t even getting me extra money. I’d say I earn a similar amount now to what I was before at Hereford and with my part-time office job. But it’s amazing.
“I’m in a house with a couple of the other lads and it’s great although Southerners do take a bit of getting used to. Everyone is a cheeky chappy down here.”
McLean is pleased he turned pro.
"I am trying to take it in my stride but I can’t really explain it. To come from playing in parks to Stamford Bridge is pretty cool.
“At 18 I was playing Saturday county league stuff and not getting paid at all. Being at Hereford I needed a job and I worked as a mechanic at Audi as well.
“I worked as a ‘resourcer’ - matching companies with IT vacancies with the right people via websites like Indeed.
“One day I was at work when my phone rang and it was my agent asking me if I fancied moving to League Two.
" It was a very quick decision."