Town's Shaun Whalley is a man in a hurry

But the Shrewsbury Town flier revealed why - his bad attitude cost him.

Now 28 and the father of a little boy, Whalley is plying his trade at his highest level yet.

But that's only after a journeyman trawl at Chester City and Accrington Stanley in League Two and non-league with Wrexham, Southport, Hyde, Droylsden, Luton and AFC Telford United on loan before returning to the Football League with Town.

The Scouser said: "It was my attitude, probably everyone who knows me knows that. I've always had very good ability, but I haven't been focused on football.

"I used to say 'oh yeah, I am' – but I never was. But I had a little boy a couple of years ago and I've got a good girlfriend who sticks with me all the time, so we've got a good family now.

"I want to do it for them as much as anyone else and it's made me realise I need to do well at the thing I'm good at.

"It was all down to myself but it's easy for me to say that now because I've grown up and I can say 'I shouldn't have done certain things.'

"I've got no regrets, but I know I would have played higher earlier if I'd been as focused as I am now off the pitch."

Whalley is determined to make the most of his opportunity, adding: "I used to just not be who I should have been.

"But if you do the right things, you're going to get the rewards. I feel like I'm doing that now.

"I'm doing well and I'm glad the team is doing well; we're unbeaten in four in the league so we're on a decent roll and let's look forward to tomorrow."

Whalley has scored five goals in his last 11 appearances after manager Micky Mellon finally found a 'home' for him in the team – and he has set his sights on finishing as Town's top scorer.

The wide man credits Mellon for giving him a chance when rivals managers wouldn't take the gamble.

He said: "I need to give the gaffer a lot of credit because I don't think any other League One manager would have taken a chance on me.

"Hopefully, now I can repay and I have started to do so with the goals I've scored. It's the peak of my career and I feel brilliant – I feel great when I play games and really sharp."

"I don't know whether that's down to the training I'm doing here but I feel really good."

Tomorrow, Town go to a fading Doncaster side who have picked up just three points out of 24 with no wins in their last eight to leave them one place above Shrewsbury on goal difference.

Whalley said: "I've looked at the table and it's close. We'll try to keep picking up wins – that's the important thing because if we do, then we don't have to look at anyone else."