All Mason Holgate wanted to get out of this season was a professional contract.
Instead the teenage defender has broken into Barnsley's first team, impressed out of position, been sent off at his hometown club, and reportedly courted the interest of some of the biggest clubs in the country.
His ambitions were forged from seeing last year's academy second years getting released.
"I was just expecting to play 18s and hopefully get a contract but things have gone fast," he told the Chronicle.
"It was a massive shock to play. I wasn't expecting it at all. Last year I was playing just 18s and I saw a few in the year above get released. I was thinking that I don't want that to happen to me. My aim at the start of the season was just to get a professional contract. I didn't even think about playing for the first team."
Holgate, 18, from Doncaster, has been with Barnsley officially since he was nine but had played with the Reds prior to that. He's grown up alongside the other talented teens at Oakwell and is pleased to see his friends being handed chances to impress too.
"The gaffer has been giving everyone chances. If you're good enough, you play," he added.
"Danny (Wilson, who was sacked in February) was doing the same so everyone is going to get a chance. I've been around them every day. They are all my friends and we do stuff outside of football as well. It's good to see them doing well as well.
"I've played at right-back a few times before but I've never really been a right-back but I'm getting used to it now. Just as long as I'm playing I'm happy. I will keep listening to the advice that everyone's giving me and try to become the best player that I can.
"I'm massively dedicated. I just want to keep getting better and keep playing and get as many games as I possibly can. I'm going to work hard over pre-season and try to get into the starting 11 next year."
Being sent off away to Doncaster, who he debuted against a few months earlier, is seen as a career low point but he will finish this season in a positive mood. With someone as good as John Stones coming before it's made it easier for youngsters to get chances to shine at Oakwell. Holgate says his friends outside might be off partying or to university in the summer but he will keep his head down and aim to stay in the squad.
"I've always played football so my friends know all about it. I'll see them on weekdays but they know what I do so know I won't be going out drinking. There's been a few lads come through over the last few years so you can see what you've got to do to get through and what the benefits are if you keep working hard. Everyone is always speaking about him (Stones). He's gone on to a higher level and that's what everyone wants to do."
