From lowly Sunday league to California

Wales defender Chris Mepham is determined to thrive on the international scene after a journey which has taken him from Sunday League football to the Rose Bowl in California.

Mepham, who was released by Chelsea at the age of 14, was playing for North Greenford reserves four years a g o before he was spotted by a Brentford scout and offered a route back into professional football.

The 20-year-old has just had a breakthrough season in the Sky Bet Championship, and on Tuesday he played a pivotal role in shutting out World Cupbound Mexico in front of 82,345 fans at an iconic venue known as ‘America’s Stadium’.

The attendance was the largest for a Wales game since over 86,000 saw them play a World Cup qualifier against the Soviet Union in Moscow in May 1965.

And Mepham admitted that it was hard to take everything in after his remarkable rise from amateur to international footballer.

“I do pinch myself a little bit,” said Mepham, reflecting on the goalless draw in Pasadena.

“I’ve loved my progress, but it’s been an absolute roller-coaster and one thing after another.

“It’s only when you have a bit of time to look back that you go ‘Wow, what an incredible journey it’s been’.

“It’s been a whirlwind few years but I’ve loved every minute of it.

“I just hope I can keep that going, stay grounded and focused and see where I go.”

Mepham made his Wales debut at the China Cup in March, coming on as a second-half substitute against the tournament hosts with an emphatic 6-0 win already secured.

But his first start in front of over 80,000 Mexicans was a completely different challenge altogether, and his task soon became even greater because of the rib injury suffered by skipper Ashley Williams.