Dominic Vose is playing for his long-term future, as a professional footballer, at Colchester United.

Vose is desperate to bounce back from a chequered past, that has seen him released by West Ham and then fail to establish himself in League Two at Barnet.

But now the 20-year-old attacking midfielder has found a new home with the U’s and is keen to make that move permanent over the coming months.

Vose signed on a monthly contract, at the start of November, and recently extended his stay for another month.

He has already made four senior appearances for the U’s, including starts in the last two games against MK Dons and at Tranmere.

“I am playing for my future,” admitted Vose.

“My past has been a bit crazy, so hopefully I can now get my head down and crack on.

“It’s been an up-and-down last six months for me, but I think in the long term it will only make me stronger.

“So, touch wood, I can do well at Colchester and push on in my career.”

Vose has bundles of talent, and loves to run with the ball, but now he wants to prove his doubters wrong, who have questioned his attitude and his reputation.

“Colchester United has done a lot for me, since I’ve been here,” insisted Vose.

“The club has given me a chance, when so-called other clubs said – ‘don’t go near him.’

“I’ve always been used to politics, since a young age – it’s part-and-parcel of the game.

“But when I’m playing football, that does the talking and they don’t have much to say. Just getting a chance, that’s all I’ve asked for.

“I’ve been here for over a month now, and I’ve had my opportunity.

“I don’t think the club has a bad word to say about me, whereas at previous clubs they say – ‘he’s this, he’s that’ – but I never had the chance there.

“What other clubs said about me, affected me at times.

“When I first came out of West Ham it was hard to swallow, as in I was meant to be going to that club, or this club, but my so-called reputation went before me.

“It did hurt, because I wasn’t doing anything. I was thinking to myself – ‘I’m not that bad, surely not?’ – but now I’m at a club that invests in its youngsters, and takes time with its youngsters.

“I think I can really push on here, so all the rubbish is behind me now.”

Vose looked destined for a bright future at West Ham – he played for their Reserves shortly after turning 16, and signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday.

But he never made a senior appearance for the Hammers and was eventually released in December, 2012, after an earlier loan at Braintree. A subsequent stay at Barnet also failed to work out, with just a couple of brief outings as a late substitute.

“It’s only a short-term contract at the moment, so it keeps me on my toes and means I can’t rest on my laurels,” continued Vose.

“Every game, whether it be for the first team or the under-21s, I’ve always got to show up, and do what I can.

“And that’s because nothing is set in stone for me yet. But it’s a massive chance for me.”