Never say never! Dean Wells thought that his chances of pursing a dream career as a professional footballer were over, when he was ditched by Brentford in 2004.

But 10 years on and Wells has finally been given a second chance – by League Two club Stevenage.

Centre-half Wells has been a mainstay of Braintree Town’s defence in the Conference, since the Essex minnows clinched promotion to the fifth tier for the first time in their history in 2011.

Wells held down a full-time job as a school-caretaker (in his home town of Isleworth), while playing for Braintree, one of only a handful of part-time clubs in the Conference – in fact, he has been a school-caretaker for the last decade, ever since he blew his first chance of football stardom.

“I thought that I had made it, as a YTS lad at Brentford. I made one appearance for the first team, but basically I was always going out drinking after that. I was very naive, and I never put the work in,” admitted Wells.

“I never thought that I would get a second chance, to play in the Football League, but it will be different this time. I have changed my ways now, have a different lifestyle with a family. I don’t go out drinking anymore. I know that I will have to knuckle down and fight for my place, because I’m not the only centre-half at Stevenage!” added Wells.

The low point for Wells, who signed for Hampton & Richmond Borough following his release from Brentford, was receiving a 12-month prison sentence for a charge of affray, following his involvement in a mass-brawl between rival Brentford and Leyton Orient fans in 2010. He served five months of that sentence.

But the 29-year-old has since turned his life around, making 110 league appearances for Braintree before completing a move to Stevenage last Friday in a £25,000 deal.

“I’m so grateful to Braintree, and manager Alan Devonshire, for having faith in me. I couldn’t have done it without them, or the Braintree fans. First time around, I was in the game for all the wrong reasons, but this is now a big chance for me.

“The deal dragged on a little, but I hung on in there. Other clubs were interested, in League Two and the Conference, “ added Wells, who has signed a one-year contract.