JERMAINE BECKFORD’S hot streak at Leeds convinced many people he is the latest rags to riches footballing fairytale.

So it may come as a surprise to hear that this young man once rubbed shoulders with the likes of Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola on a daily basis.

Beckford was plucked from non-league obscurity at Wealdstone when Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell coughed up £45,000 to take him to Elland Road nearly three years ago.

But the 24-year-old striker had already sampled one taste of the big-time — only for his hopes to end in tears.

As a teenager, Beckford was on Chelsea’s books and came through the ranks at the same time as West Ham’s Carlton Cole.

Yet while Cole has never strayed far from the top flight, Jermaine had to start all over again when he was released at 19.

So all credit to him for never losing sight of the dream — and making full use of that sparkling footballing education he got alongside the Stamford Bridge all-stars.

Instead of sulking about his missed opportunity, Beckford set about proving it was wrong to release him by banging in the goals regularly for Wealdstone in the Ryman League Premier.

He hit 50 in just over 90 games, the interest steadily grew, and Blacky beat off competition to snap him up for Leeds.

But Blackwell realised that, despite Jermaine’s prolific non-league strike rate, he was not quite ready for life in the Championship.

When Dennis Wise took over as Leeds boss the next season, he was of the same opinion and loaned him to Scunthorpe and Carlisle United.

Beckford banged in eight goals in 18 games for Scunny, and picked up a League One winners’ medal.

He also got the Football League Goal of the Season award — and having been on the panel for that, what a cracker it was!

Scunthorpe went up that season, while Leeds dropped to League One. United’s points deduction and transfer embargo saw Wise reject a £250,000 offer to take him to Scunny full-time.

He responded with 20 goals last season and this time his all-round game has improved. Jermaine’s strengths are two good feet, excellent aerial ability and great finishing.

On the downside, at times, he was no help to his team-mates and only his natural instincts got him into goalscoring positions.

New Leeds manager Gary McAllister has clearly done plenty of work on that side of his game because he looks a 100 per cent improved player.

He’s now thinking about the game, making space for himself, rather than simply hoping for the ball over the top — and his finishing has got even better.

He already has 10 goals in eight games and looks certain to play at a higher level. McAllister is hoping he does it with Leeds.

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