JACOB DAVIDGE has taken a step closer to fulfilling the dream of a full-time career in football by going on trial at Bristol Rovers this week.

Cirencester Town boss Brian Hughes thinks so highly of pacy winger Davidge that he gave him a first team start at the age of only 16.

The following season, the Rendcomb College student collected winners’ medals for both Cirencester Town’s first team and the Development Squad who both won their respective leagues.

And it was 17-year-old Davidge’s game-changing display off the bench –including a goal – which helped clinch the title for Town in the final game of the season at Yate.

When Bristol Rovers played Cirencester Town in a pre-season friendly recently Davidge was still away on holiday.

But when Darrell Clarke asked Town boss Hughes whether he had any up-and-coming stars which he would recommend, Davidge's name was put forward.

Clarke invited Davidge to join training with the now-Conference Premier side Rovers this week and he is due to play a part in Wednesday night’s pre-season friendly at Mangotsfield United when he is likely to face his former team-mate Steve Davies.

Davidge and Davies played on opposite wings as Cirencester Town clinched their promotion from the Southern League Div One South & West in that crucial final at Yate.

“I was released by Swindon Town just as I was about to move into their U16s so it would be nice to get another chance to show what I can do with a big club,” said Davidge, who is studying four A-Levels – Biology, Geogrpahy, PE and Physics – at Rendcomb College near Cirencester.

“I’m getting a lift down from Swindon to Bristol for training each day with keeper Steve Mildenhall who could not be nicer.

“Steve said he left Swindon Town when I was about four years old!

“Steve introduced me to the manager Darrell Clarke on Monday and I was pleased with the way first day of training training went.

“I’m told I will be playing a part against Mangotsfield when it will be nice to see Davo, who joined them in the close season.

“I was looking forward to playing for Cirencester Town again this season but, hopefully, I can do enough to stay for a second week at Rovers when the manager can have a proper look at me.”

Should Davidge earn a dream contract at Rovers he will join Lee Smith, Steve Davies, Ellis Dunton and Joe Shepherd who have all left Cirencester Town since winning the title last season.