Aldershot midfielder Ryan Scott has described his long recovery from injury as the "worst year" of his life.
The 18-year-old broke his leg on the final day of last season, but returned for their Hampshire Senior Cup exit to Basingstoke on Tuesday.
He told BBC Southern Counties Radio: "You get days when you're down and days when you're up, but I'm finally at the end of the tunnel, and feeling good.
"It's so easy to go off the rails, but you've got to stay focused."
He admits the whole experience has helped him re-appraise his life.
"We're lucky to play football every single day, and I now come into training smiling. You also learn who your friends are and who aren't," he said.
Scott now has to break back into a side that sits top of the Blue Square Premier League: "I want the best for the team. We're all good friends, even though we're fighting for places.
"The gaffer is good because whoever is doing well in training gets to play. I'm just going to keep working hard and bide my time."