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Solomon Taiwo has some advice for his new Faversham team-mates having reached the heights of Championship football.
Midfielder Taiwo brings invaluable experience to the Salters Lane dressing room after signing from Three Bridges last week.
He’s enjoyed plenty of highs during his career, breaking into the Football League with Dagenham and earning a £250,000 move to the Championship with Cardiff in 2009.
There’s also been lows with injury restricting his progress at the Bluebirds and costing him a move to Norwich when he failed a medical following a hip operation.
He’s a fascinating character and, now 34, is ready to help his new club.
“You have to believe you can achieve anything,” said Taiwo, who has also played for Leyton Orient and Luton.
“That’s one thing I’ll say to the boys, you have to have belief and if you don’t, you’ve got no chance. At least give yourself an opportunity to fail.
“I’ve been lucky but also unlucky in my career. Lucky in that I was one of 200-300 non-league players who are probably good enough to play in the Football League to be given an opportunity.
“I took that opportunity at Dagenham and got the move to Cardiff but that’s where I was unlucky and it didn’t work out.
“For me, it was inevitable I would get a move because I was always super-confident and I believed in myself. I was hardworking, I watched a lot of football and I believed that was the standard I should play at.
“I didn’t think it would be as big a club as Cardiff but if you put in the work, cream rises to the top.
“I was supposed to sign for Norwich a year later but I’d had a big operation three months beforehand and I only came off crutches the day I had the medical. Norwich weren’t aware of the extent of the injury and they pulled the plug.
“I look back at my career and think ‘if only’ but I started in non-league and I’m happy being back in non-league – I still get that buzz from playing football and the feeling of winning games is incredible.”
Taiwo will have to wait to experience that winning feeling with Faversham after his debut ended in a 3-1 defeat Burgess Hill last weekend. They don’t play again until Boxing Day, when Herne Bay visit Salters Lane.
“Saturday was the first time I’d met the boys,” said Taiwo.
“They’re a good, honest bunch but the main thing for me is confidence.
“The club’s going through a transitional phase and I think it’s a case of not getting caught up in whatever’s happened before.”
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