WANDERERS reject Mike Phenix has landed his first contract with a Football League club at the age of 25 – 10 years after he was released by the Whites.

The Tyldesley striker, who played for Hindsford either side of being at Wanderers’ academy, has signed a two-year deal with Barnsley after being transferred from non-league Telford United for a fee of around £25,000 last week.

His long and winding route to professional football is a tale of not giving up, a challenge made all the harder by having ulcerative colitis - the same condition Manchester United star Darren Fletcher has battled.

Phenix began with the Hindsford Under-10s team where he played for one season before joining the Wanderers academy.

His love of the game ensured he did not give up when he was released at 15.

The powerful hit man took coaching badges in Salford and worked for Reebok coaching holidaymakers at resorts in Egypt, Tenerife, Majorca, Ibiza and Greece for two years.

On his return he rejoined Hindsford and was leading goalscorer for the Manchester League Premier Division club for three seasons.

“He loved it at Hindsford,” said his dad, who is also called Mike.

“All his friends were there and he was the star.”

Quick and strong in the air, Phenix made his move into non-league at Droylesden and after a few months moved to Skelmersdale for one season.

He was set to sign for Southport, but the manager, Liam Watson, got the manager’s job at Conference side Telford and took Phenix there instead.

The move paid off with the front man leading the club’s goal charts in his one full season last term and then hitting the net six times in 14 appearances for the strugglers this time around.

His performances attracted the attention of FC Halifax who were understood to be preparing a bid for him before Barnsley moved in to give him his first chance of league football.