Josh Falkingham - From Leeds United to Harrogate Town, via Arbroath and Dunfermline

But for the midfielder, whose ability to overcome adversity has been a defining feature of his career thus far, the journey has not quite travelled full circle yet.

The Rothwell lad, who turns 30 later this month, can still recall the soul-destroying moment when he was jettisoned by Leeds, who were a League One club when he left at the end of 2009.

Returning to the third-tier of English football with Harrogate would complete the journey for Falkingham, whose career took him north of the border to St Johnstone, Arbroath and Dunfermline before eventually arriving in the spa town.

The Harrogate captain, busy preparing for the club’s first season in the big time, told The Yorkshire Post: “It has been a mad journey and that is what makes it even sweeter – going through all the hard times and setbacks.

“I only turn 30 this month and have plenty more seasons in me, so hopefully we can achieve something extra special and look to get out of this league. That is our aim now and what we will be focusing on.

“At the back end of 2009, I only received a six-month professional deal at Leeds and it ran out on December 31.

“When I left Leeds, they were in League One, so if I can get back to that level and achieve that with Harrogate Town, it would be the full circle. For me, that would be a fantastic journey.

“I am not stopping now and that is what my heart and mind is set on. I will be doing everything I can to get back there. At that time in my career, somebody said I was not good enough to be there and play at that level. It has always been about proving people wrong.”

Falkingham is one of those driven professionals who has truly earned everything that he has got.

It took character to recover from rejection by Leeds and then by St Johnstone, after which he travelled farther north to the footballing outpost of Arbroath, a small coastal town in north-east Scotland.

Falkingham may have just made history with Harrogate, but back in 2011, he became part of Arbroath folklore – helping the Red Lichties win the first prize in their 133-year history when they joyously paraded the Scottish Third Division trophy.

It was a time he will always recall fondly in a 2010-11 season which saw him named as the club’s young player of the year ahead of being acclaimed nationally after beating all-comers to be crowned as the SFL’s young player of the season at an awards ceremony in Glasgow.

A spell at Dunfermline followed later – he helped lead the Pars to the Scottish League One title in his final season with the club in 2015-16, before he returned south with a point to prove.

He added:“I have had three set-backs. Being released from Leeds and not getting an extended contract at St Johnstone and those two set-backs in the space of six months hit me hard.

“Then, at Dunfermline, I felt like I had gone through my apprenticeship properly in getting over 200 games and then I was told I was not getting a contract and I had to get myself up, big time. I was left on the scrapheap and had to pick up the phone myself to Darlington.

“Now I honestly believe I am in my prime and have a good couple of years left.

“Let’s be honest, we are a small club who are not steeped in history. But we are a club full of ambition and aspirations to get to the highest position they can.

“Harrogate are on the map, but I definitely think I am not at a club – and am not the kind of person – to live in this moment and think: ‘right I have done it’.

“You don’t want to become comfortable and get left behind no matter what you have done. This is not the end, but just the beginning.”

Falkingham’s devoted father Paul has been with him every step of the way right from those days at Arbroath, regularly making the epic trip to Gayfield to see his lad in action.

Alongside a minibus load of supporters from Leeds, he was there to see his son score a goal in the title-clinching victory over Angus rivals Montrose back in April 2011.

It was somewhat fitting that Falkingham senior was part of the Harrogate entourage who saw the club – and Falkingham – make history by reaching the Football League for the first time at Wembley earlier this month.

On a grand day out for father and son, Falkingham, who joined Leeds’ academy at the age of eight after previously playing for Rothwell Town Juniors, added: “Luckily, the opportunity arose where the manager spoke to me on the Wednesday before the game and there was a ticket that became available.

“In my position as captain, the manager called me out of the blue and I was able to offer my dad a ticket and he was speechless. He managed to get in the royal box.

“It was a special moment for me. But when you are a father and have followed your son, like he has done and the amount of miles he has put in on the road – to see me walk out at Wembley and lift the trophy was what it is all about.

“All the boys were fine with it and my dad was thrilled to be there and you cannot that take away from myself or my dad.”