Young centre half Joe Oastler was picked up by QPR from Portsmouth at the Premier League released trials in 2008.
Portsmouth fan Oastler was released by his boyhood club aged 18 but sparked a 13 club race for his signature when he impressed at the subsequent Premiership exit trials. QPR beat off competition from Hull City, Southampton and Glenn Hoddle's Spanish Soccer Academy to sign the ball playing centre half and he enjoyed a successful 2008/09 in the Rangers youth side culminating in winning the Fair Play cup in Sardinia in January.
Oastler went on to impress fans with a series of composed displays at the heart of the defence in pre-season but this is a position that Rangers are particularly strong in and he was back down in the reserves when the season started for real.
Oastler told the Portsmouth News: "Obviously I was upset after being released by Pompey, but there was no way I was going to give up. I'd been with them since the age of eight, I'd had a season ticket for eight years, I live two minutes from Fratton Park. I support them and I always will – they are my team. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, that's how football is, but I was determined not to let that stop me.
"There were 60 lads who went to the exit trials in Warwick and I knew I had no choice – I had to perform otherwise I would not have got anywhere. You only have two 40-minute games to impress in as well, but fortunately it worked out and 13 clubs came in for me. Glenn Hoddle rang me up personally – I thought it was my mates winding me up. But I wanted a pro contract and QPR were the first club that came in for me. I was upset when I was released from Pompey but I'm definitely happy now."