Hett pipped Melbourne boys Reno Damianou and Evan Christodoulou (now 28 and with Avondale in the Victorian NPL) for the title after a final trial match.

The hosts of the TV show made life easier for the boys, added Hett, McFadden in particular.

Hett with hosts Brian McFadden and Amy Taylor

“He was good with us young lads. He was the perfect fit with good humour and made us feel at ease because there was a fair bit of pressure as you’re trying to win that one contract.

“If I’m being honest, though, I never watched seasons 2 and 3 of the show.

“It’s just a shame that no-one who won it went on to have a really solid A-League career. When I was in England it was similar, none went on to have a full-on pro career [in Football Icon].

“I’d just come back from Coventry City in the Championship where I’d done my YTS. And a lot of the lads in the show maybe felt they’d missed their window of opportunity.

“It was a good opportunity to have a second crack at pro football with this talent show for football.

“I remember shaking Kossie’s hand when I won. It felt like a relief that I can start training with Sydney FC. That’s all I was there for.”

INJURIES SCUPPER SYDNEY FC STINT

It could’ve been awkward. Walking into your first session after winning a TV reality show contest, and you see Tony Popovic, Steve Corica and Socceroos legend John Aloisi.

Huge stars, big personalities; and you're some reality TV show winner. It wasn’t awkward, though. Kossie made sure of that at Sydney FC.

Hett training with Sydney FC *Pic Kevin Airs

“Such a credit to that group. They took me in as a regular signing. Made me feel right at home. No awkwardness at all,” recalled Hett.

“It’s ten years ago but I remember at the time being surprised by that.

“I’d come from England where it could be nasty at times. I remember thinking if I was in the same situation at Coventry it would’ve been a lot more cut-throat and mick-taking.

“I tore my ACL in my first season with Sydney FC [just days before he was due to make his first team debut].

“I had a couple of years off football. I was bitter at not being able to play. 

“So after Sydney FC released me I dropped down to NPL 2 with Northern Tigers and played there for two years but in the first season I got chronic groin pain, then some further problems that needed cleaning up and then I broke my ankle.

“But by the time I came back the groin pain started again.

“The medical staff said if you keep playing you’ll need a hip replacement by the time you’re 30. I had the signs of osteoarthritis.

"But injuries are a part of football,” he said. “So I had to stop playing."

CROSSROADS IN HIS LIFE

At 30 years old, Hett is at a crossroads.