This time last year, Chris Dickson was preparing for a [England's] Division One South clash at Ashford Town.
Twelve months on and the 22-year-old's remarkable footballing rise has taken another incredible twist after he was named in Ghana's provisional 40-man squad for next month's African Cup of Nations.
The Charlton striker - whose three-month loan spell at Gillingham expires tonight - is one of 11 uncapped players named in coach Claude Le Roy's squad for the competition, which is being hosted by Ghana.
And the forward, full of confidence after scoring 11 goals in 11 starts for the Gills, insists he can take the competition by storm if he makes the final Black Stars squad, which will be cut down to 23 in three weeks' time.
"I am over the moon - it's been a crazy year but a successful year and I can't believe I could be going to the African Cup of Nations now," Dickson told the South London Press. "My agent told me about it on Wednesday morning and it was a bit of a surprise,but fantastic news.
"I had heard on the grapevine that there were quite a few people asking for me to be in the squad but to get the call-up confirmed is unbelievable.
"It would be absolutely fantastic to play alongside the likes of Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari - they would provide brilliant service to the strikers.
"It's been a rollercoaster 12 months and I'm just going along with the ride.
"A year ago I was playing for Dulwich Hamlet and now I could be on the verge of going to the African Cup of Nations.
"I am confident that wherever I go,I can do a job and score goals. I was confident at Dulwich, at Charlton, at Crewe and at Gillingham.
"I just try to make as much impact as I can for whoever I play for and if I get selected for the African Cup of Nations,I am confident I can make my mark there too."
Dickson was a revelation at Dulwich Hamlet, scoring 31 goals in 35 games for the Champion Hill outfit last season before completing a £50,000 move to Charlton in March.
He has found his chances limited at The Valley so far though, making just one appearance for the first team, coming on as a substitute in the Addicks' Carling Cup clash at Swindon in August.
His potential has never been in doubt though, and after an unsuccessful one-month loan stint at Crewe earlier in the season, Dickson has been in stunning form at Priestfield.
"Coming to Gillingham has done me the world of good and I want to thank them for everything they have helped me with,"he added.
"I always knew I could score goals at whatever level I played at. The gaffer at Charlton wanted me to go to Gillingham to improve my overall game and I am seeing the benefit of it now.
"My hold up play has got much better and I have also worked on becoming more of a leader. Anyone who knows me would say I am quite a loud character, whether it's on or off the pitch, and I like to keep my teammates motivated."
And after Chris Iwelumo sustained an ankle injury at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday which looks likely to sideline him over the next few weeks, Dickson hopes to finally make his breakthrough at The Valley.
"I can't wait to go back to Charlton," he said.
"Every time I play, I try to entertain the fans and I feel I have done that at Gillingham and I'd like to do it at Charlton now.
"If there is a club versus country row in January due to the African Cup of Nations that is something we will have to deal with, but at the moment I just want to get into the Charlton team."