Scott Hogan: former angry young man takes Vardy route to the big time


Aston Villa’s £15m signing from Brentford got back on track at Stocksbridge Park Steels and has the pace and eye for goal to reach the Premier League

As Scott Hogan would no doubt testify, it sometimes takes rejection to change the course of history. “We wanted to sign him, 100%,” says the Rochdale manager, Keith Hill, “but he just wasn’t ready.”

Almost six years before he completed his move from Brentford to Aston Villa for a fee that may eventually rise to £15m, Hogan’s career was already at a crossroads. The Salford-born teenager had just been released by Rochdale after failing to be offered a professional contract despite some impressive performances for the youth team.

Related: Non-league to Premier League: Jamie Vardy won’t be the last to make the leap

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