When Ethan Pinnock helped Brentford open the 2021/22 Premier League season with a win over Arsenal, it completed a remarkable rise for him. Just four years ago, Ethan had just made a move to Barnsley from Forest Green Rovers and had never played in the EFL. On Friday, he was part of a Brentford team that beat Arsenal in the Premier League, having worked his way up via Dulwich Hamlet and Forest Green Rovers. It was a story he told to Mirror Sport ahead of the start of the season.

Ethan came through the youth ranks at Dulwich Hamlet and played more than 200 games for the South London side. He spent a year at Forest Green and then two at Barnsley before arriving at Brentford in 2019. He helped The Bees win promotion to the Premier League and has now made his debut at the top level. On the way he has played international football for Jamaica, as well as featuring for England C, the team that represents the country at non-league level.

"Growing up, I think for most kids watching Match of the Day every week it's their dream to play football in the Premier League, so to be playing in that league now is really special, especially the route I took from non-league," said Ethan. "It means that little bit more to me. "When I was at Dulwich, I was working as a coach and studying for a degree, so I was juggling the three.

"Some days I would go from A to B to C, so it was really hectic. But I think it gave me a really strong work ethic and helped me in my journey."

The full story, including a video, can be seen on the Mirror website here. There was also a piece on Ethan on The Athletic website. Subscribers can see that here.