PAUL Hurst was impressed with Hamish Watson's desire to join Grimsby Town from day one.
The New Zealander (left) went the extra mile in order to join the Mariners on trial – travelling down from Scotland just hours after Hurst first got in touch in order to attend his first training session.
Despite having had next to no sleep the night before, 21-year-old still did enough during that first morning to convince Hurst to keep him on, before eventually earning a short-term deal with the club this week.
Explaining how the move came about, Hurst told the Telegraph: "I'd like to say that his arrival is because I've got a vast scouting network in the southern hemisphere but it actually came about because of Chris Greenacre, who is at Wellington Phoenix – Hamish's old club.
"Me and Chris got to know each other on a coaching course and we got on well. He told me that Hamish was on his was over to the UK, looking for a club, and Chris felt he was worth a look.
"In the past, I've spoken about my reluctance to look at loads and loads of trialists but I trusted Chris' judgement.
"When I first contacted Hamish, he was staying with a friend in Scotland. It was a Sunday, but that same afternoon he got himself on a coach to come down.
"I think he got into Sheffield at 3 or 4 in the morning, had a quick snooze and then came across to Rotherham where I picked him up and brought him in for training.
"Straight away, he made a good impression in terms of his willingness to come here – it wasn't a case of him saying 'I can't do it this week, I'll get down when I can'.
"To say he didn't have too much sleep before that first training session, I have to say, he did quite well and since then, he's improved with every session and that's what earned him his deal.
"He's watched a few of the games from the sidelines and has fitted in really well with the rest of the lads, so hopefully it'll work out for all parties."
He added: "In truth, a lot of the work around the transfer was down to other people at the club. Hamish has had to be patient, as have we, but we've got that overall conclusion now and he's available for selection should I choose.
"Although he's been with us for a while, he still needs to up his fitness levels a bit. He'd be the first to admit that when he first came to us, he wasn't fully up-to-speed but he's gradually getting there.
"It's a deal that suits both parties and hopefully Hamish will take full advantage of the opportunity."
