Sky's the limit for star Mark

On Saturday, Kidderminster's player of the season will star on the network on the biggest day of his life.

When the hugely popular Harriers defender walks out with his team mates at Wembley for the FA Trophy final, it will end a remarkable transformation from part-time journeyman to professional on the biggest stage of all. And the 25-year-old cannot wait, even if it means a few double-takes for the armchair viewers.

"In my time as a part-time footballer I worked for Sky as an installation engineer, putting up people's satellite dishes," he said.

"On Saturday I'll be appearing on Sky and I'm sure there will be fans watching the game on TV saying 'God, that's the bloke who fitted my Sky dish'. It does show how much things have changed for me in the last year.

"Saturday will be the biggest day of my life. It is absolutely massive for this club and it is the kind of game that as a player you might only play in once in your career."

Creighton's superb debut season as a professional player represents a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of a man who started his career at Aggborough but was shown the door seven years ago at the end of his youth team apprenticeship.

He joined Sky and embarked on a semi-professional career that took in spells with Moor Green, Bromsgrove, Halesowen, Willenhall Town and latterly Redditch.

Creighton retained his ambition to make the grade at a professional club and some rave reviews during his time at Willenhall attracted Football League scouts to Noose Lane.

But it was not until this summer, when boss Mark Yates renewed his interest, that Creighton finally got the chance to put his toolbox away and devote all his energy to football.

"It's pretty unbelievable to be honest, coming from Redditch United last season to playing every minute of every game in the Conference this season and ending up with a trip to Wembley," he said.

"Redditch were struggling financially and there was an option for me to get out of my contract if Redditch wanted me to, but they were also struggling in the league table so I told the manager there that I would hang around and try to help them out. But when the season ended I was free to move on and the gaffer got in touch again and I came here.

"I came here and it was a bit of a struggle for the first two weeks because I was a couple of weeks behind in pre-season but I soon caught up.

"I've been playing non-league football in the area since I left the Kidderminster youth team seven years ago and I've been here, there and everywhere on the non-league circuit.

"But to come here, which is the biggest non-league club in this area, has been fantastic for me and I have loved every minute of it. I've still got next season on my contract and I would hope to do well next season and get another deal."

Creighton admitted his release from Aggborough as an 18-year-old during Jan Molby's first spell in charge was a crushing blow to his football dreams. But he is now living them seven years on and he has his sights on a slice of glory on Saturday having already landed two player of the season awards from the club's supporters.

"It was hard because we had a lot of success in the Kidderminster youth team I was in. We won our league and we did pretty well in the reserves as well, so it is always a bit of a blow to be told you're not going to be offered anything.

"For whatever reason I wasn't kept on then, but I've gone away and worked really hard and I'd like to think that the success we're having now is my reward.

"It's been amazing for me to play as much as I have and to win these awards is something I see as a big reward for my efforts over the last few years. It's a big thing for me, but also for my family. They have stuck by me and this is a reward for their dedication.

"I was voted as player of the season by the younger supporters and the older ones and that is a great honour because they're the people who really matter."