His career began at Kintbury Rangers before stops at Hungerford and Poole took him into the football league and scoring-for-fun runs at Swindon, Burnley and QPR.
But could Charlie Austin soon be plying his trade on the biggest stage in English football?
The Betfair market makes the 26-year-old an even money chance to sign for Manchester United in this transfer window.
That will come as a surprise to those of us who have seen his name linked with the, how shall we put it, less lofty teams in the top-flight - think West Ham and Newcastle.
Following a less than stunning opening to the season, which has seen just three goals scored in four league games and striker Wayne Rooney drawing a blank entirely, rumours are rife that United will move for a forward.
The QPR striker is now operating at Championship level following the West London club's relegation from the Premier League last season. He is already top of the scoring charts with four in five games.
Naysayers will scoff at the thought of Austin lining up alongside a wealth of international talent in United's star-studded ranks. However, few players in English football can point to a better rate of scoring than Austin and he proved that he could perform at this highest level last year with 18 league goals for Rangers.
The money has clearly come - is Austin's fairytale move going to come true?
Other likely transfer include Saido Berahino to Spurs - ranked as a 4/5 chance - and David de Gea to leave United (1/2).