Huddersfield Town v AFC Wimbledon: 'My biggest motivating factor is proving people wrong' - Dion Charles on fighting back

His experiences in 2025 have the potential to be his finest hour to date.

After rejection at Blackpool at 18, the Preston-born forward started to make a name in non-league before returning to the EFL at Accrington. This came after a separate challenging spell in the league at Fleetwood where he failed to feature.

Sporadically, he had some issues at Bolton Wanderers and certainly at his current club for much of this year after joining in the January window.

His recent renaissance is testament to his aptitude, but primarily his character. It has the potential to be a real comeback story.

As for any persistent doubters, his message is simple. Carry on.

On whether he enjoys being written off, Charles told The Yorkshire Post: "My biggest motivating factor is proving people wrong.

"I've come from non-league. I've been rejected so many times and I like proving people wrong.

"To get to where I am now, through the back of working extremely hard, it's good.

"Perhaps when I've come here and haven't hit the ground running, people have said he's not good enough and this and that.

"Over the last few weeks I've turned that around and brought them back onside."

Charles is seeking to sign off a breakthrough November in fitting fashion today, having scored four times in four matches in all competitions this month, his first goals in the blue and white of Town.

He insists he has never doubted himself during his hard times, with his record at this level at Bolton being something he can point to.

He continued: "I said that when I came to the club.

"I was brought here to score goals. It took a bit longer than expected but I'm playing well, the team's playing well and that's the kind of environment where I can thrive.

"It can always be difficult for players moving clubs, especially in mid-season.

"But there's been no excuse. As a forward player, you pride yourself on your goals. The facts are I've been below what I wanted when I came here, but over the recent weeks I've shown what I can do.

"I can't get too carried away just yet. But I'm in a good run of form, scoring goals and am happy and happiness breeds confidence.

"As a forward, I don't think there's anything better than being confident."

Amid his upturn, Charles has been thankful for the input of boss Lee Grant, even if some of the chats during his tough periods have been frank ones.

Charles added: "Every single player needs someone that's going to be honest with you, in the good and the bad. That's the only way you can improve, by having those honest conversations.

"They might not be nice and what you want to hear, but then it's down to you as a person and a player to go away, reflect on it and then it's how much you want it."