THERE are some players who, when on the ball, can get the crowd excited – and Aldershot Town’s Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong is certainly one of them.

The 24-year-old re-signed for the club at the start of the campaign, but his career started at Crystal Palace, where he spent well over a decade progressing through their academy system.

He says he learnt a lot during his time there. “Obviously nothing can prepare you for going into senior football and the challenges it brings, but I experienced all the obstacles along the way,” he said.

“From having to move schools and going into full-time football earlier than expected, to seeing the ups and downs of injuries and learning from the senior professionals in front of me.

“Just looking at what they were doing in terms of dietary things, and everything on and off the field to prepare them for games and the season ahead.

“Being at a Premier League football club, and going from the club being stuck in the Championship to becoming a stable Premier League team, was a great experience, and being in and around the first-team squad when I hit a certain age was good for me.

“I learnt a lot from going on tour and being around them, and just the way to live a life as a football player. Everything played a part over the 13 years I was there.”

Berkeley-Agyepong joined The Shots in 2018, after impressing as a triallist during pre-season. He was then sent out on loan to National League South outfit Dartford during the 2019-20 season, and made the move permanent for the following campaign.

He said his time there helped rebuild his confidence.

“The loan came about because I got concussed in a training session which meant I was off for a while,” he said.

“Dartford were interested in me, and one of my old coaches from school, Craig Belgrave, is an assistant there.

“I’d say the loan period alone built my confidence back. I was playing in a position where I wanted to play, in a more central role, and we were winning a lot of games while I was there.

“Just being free to play football was something I wasn’t able to do before, but in my time there, and also now, I feel I’m more free to express myself and play football the way I know I can.

“I felt the players and staff members got the best out of me, so I just wanted to go and really enjoy playing football again.

“Last season was a good one for me in terms of goals and assists, and I’d definitely say I was too good to play in that league, but it was an opportunity to be seen and progress from there.”

In recent games, Berkeley-Agyepong has put in some exceptional performances for Aldershot Town, and featured in a recent National League team of the week.

His performances have levelled up in line with the team’s success, and he says the change in regime under Mark Molesley has influenced these things.

“There’s more detail to what we’re doing and coming from a Premier League club, where it’s all about detail, I think it’s suited more to me in terms of how we go through things.

“Doing stuff at match speed is something we may have not done before that we’re doing now, and that obviously replicates the game in the best way possible.

“Everyone wants to prove a point with the new gaffer coming in, and the run of the results have come from a different kind of formation and game plan.

“Our first halves are more contained – we just try to keep everyone in position – and then in the second half we break out and have been more effective.

“I think I’ve been able to excel because of the detail and the staff wanting me to get fitter. It was difficult at the start after picking up an injury, but I’ve got fitter and have been able to play at a higher level because I’m doing everything at a faster speed.

“It means I have more time and space on the pitch which allows me to do what I do best; running with the ball and creating chances.

“I feel it’s translated to the whole team – everyone’s running faster, covering more distance and playing better football, and I think the fans appreciate that and can see the difference between the first few months and now.”

The midfielder is also one of the few players at the club who has played at international level. Now at the halfway stage of this season, The Shots seem to have separated themselves from the relegation zone.

In terms of a goal for the end of the campaign, Berkeley-Agyepong says the team are only looking up. “I’d say the sky’s the limit. We look like we can do anything on our day, so I feel we can push as high as we want to,” he said.

“We’re just trying to draw teams above us – who we may have let get away earlier in the season – closer to us, and trying to win as many games as possible.

“I don’t see us losing many games going forward, especially as we lost only one in ten over a very busy period.

“It’s just a case of going into each match knowing we can win, implementing different styles of football and growing as a team every day.

“Anything is possible – we’re only looking forwards and we’ll push as high as we can.”

In terms of the future, Berkeley-Agyepong wants to play at as high a level as possible. “I feel I have the tools to play higher up. I’m at Aldershot Town right now and I’m obviously going to give my best for the club, and it gives me a platform to be seen elsewhere.

“In my career, I see myself playing higher – at League One or Championship level – and with my ability, that’s where I feel I should be playing in a few years.”