BLACKBURN Rovers rising star Matty Derbyshire was reunited with his old team-mates at Great Harwood FC's presentation evening.
The 19-year-old left the Showground in November 2003 in a £20,000 deal and made his Premiership debut against Fulham earlier this month.
He has now just signed a two-year deal at Ewood Park - a move which will net Harwood more much-needed cash.
The Showground club faces an uncertain future with probable relegation from the NWCL Division One after finishing bottom - although nothing has been confirmed yet.
And they have no ground after the club house and changing rooms were burnt down although they hope they will be allowed to play all their league fixtures at Accrington Stanley next season.
But if manager John Hughes can keep unearthing gems like striker Derbyshire he hopes Harwood's future is bright.
"The fact Matty was playing NWCL football not so long ago and is now in the Premiership says a lot about this level of football," said the manager. "There is all the emphasis on academies and centres of excellence but Matty didn't go to any of these. He came into football late, found he liked it and enjoyed playing at North West Counties level.
"It was a dream come true for him to go to Blackburn Rovers but it shows it can happen. I spoke to Matty just after his debut and he said he didn't have any jitters. He has a good head on his shoulders, he doesn't drink and he has got a great chance to make it."
Despite Harwood probably going back to Division Two football after winning promotion into Division One last season, Hughes is hoping to stay on.
He was at the helm when Harwood were promoted, left to join Chorley at the start of the season but came back and helped the Robins claw back a 12 point deficit and almost pull off a great escape.
"I love football," said Hughes. "Looking back I perhaps should have stayed here all season but I had a chance to go to Chorley and had to go to give it a go. It didn't work out quite how I wanted and now I have got a chance back here and I want to stay. I respect Bill (Holden, the chairman) for what he has done here and, with the money from Matty, hopefully we can rebuild together.
"The table never lies and we did finish bottom but we had that revival towards the end and we have got to take that into next season.
"If we can play at Accrington Stanley week in week out it is a good advertisement for football and will help me bring players in. And with Matty being here and moving on that will help. We give kids a chance and I already have my eye on a young lad who, I am not saying will be the next Matty, but has quick feet and could do well."
