Gary Schillaci was among a handful of players that proved themselves ready to move up from the youth to the first team under Graham Westley. A sign of the regard that GW had for the defender can be seen in the decision to hand Schillaci a squad number during the 2005-6 season. And we all know that means acceptance for a young lad breaking up from the youth ranks into the senior set-up.

As can often be the case, however, it didn’t work out. The defender ended up leaving the club at the end of that campaign; making just one appearance. That was an outing in our LDV Trophy defeat away to Swindon Town. It might be that GW’s departure at the end of the season didn’t help matters either. But spending time on loan at sides further down the ladder while here meant there was a sense that he wouldn’t struggle to find a new club; a place where he could really establish himself.

Gary Schillaci: After Boro’

Bishop’s Stortford is the first club at which the young defender found himself at after Boro’ let him go. After a brief spell on the Herts/Essex border, he moved across the county and into Bucks with Aylesbury United in 2007; quickly followed by stints at Brimsdown Rovers and Cheshunt (2008). We know he was still with the Ambers in 2010. But, after that, we’re not sure where his career path took him next.

Image: Kevin Coleman (if incorrect, please contact us and we’ll happily credit you)