TWELVE months is a long time in football, but Rowan Liburd has made every second count after completing his journey from the Ryman Premier League to the Championship.

The 22-year-old made his professional debut for Reading in the 2-0 defeat at Cardiff City, coming off the bench to replace Dutch international Ola John.

Just 11 months ago, Liburd was playing for Thamesmead Town in the second round of the Kent Senior Cup against Whitstable Town, having been loaned out by Billericay as he recovered from a broken arm.

And, having failed to win a contract at the then League Two Southend United in the summer of 2014, he made his Championship debut in front of more than 15,000 supporters in south Wales the weekend before last, after Royals boss Steve Clarke had snapped him up on a two-year deal.

“It was great to make my debut but it went so quickly,” admitted Liburd. “The whole day was good although we didn’t get the result we wanted and that did put a bit of a dampener on things.

“When I came on we were 2-0 down and I was told to go on and make a nuisance of myself, cause a bit of havoc and win the ball back.

“I was quite pleased and I got a lot of congratulations from my teammates on making my debut and telling me what a good achievement it was.

“I have been in the match day squad three times but haven’t made it on, so I was delighted when I got the call against Cardiff. But I am just keeping my feet on the ground and keeping humble and I hope I can push on.”

Liburd scored five goals in six games at Thamesmead in the eighth tier of English football before returning to Billericay, going on to score 22 times in the Ryman Premier League.

And that did not go unnoticed by Reading and, after impressing and scoring in a trial spell, he made the switch to the Madejski Stadium, jumping five tiers in the process.

Liburd had been in match day squads against Brighton & Hove Albion, Rotherham United and Charlton Athletic and says he is gaining experience all the time under such experienced players and coaches.

“Steve Clarke is a really nice guy and he tells you exactly what he wants from you which is what I need and what I want,” he said. “I have been given this opportunity by Reading and I want to repay their leap of faith and prove I can make it here.

“I am working hard and am listening to all the advice the senior players are giving me.

“The work rate is so intense and I have made a big jump from non-league to the Championship which makes the difference even more pronounced.

“I am improving though. The technical side of my game has got better and I am working on other things that will hopefully get me into the first-team squad regularly.”

Liburd is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of other non-league players who have forged successful professional careers, such as Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy and Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings.

“You are seeing more and more players make it at this level, having broken through from non-league and that is encouraging to all the semi-professional players who are looking to make this step,” he said.

“There is a lot of talent in non-league and it is good professional teams are recognising that.”

But, despite his speedy ascent, Croydon-born Liburd says he hasn’t forgotten all that Billericay and manager Craig Edwards did for him, and he still visits New Lodge whenever he can.

“I haven’t been able to go down as much as I would have liked but I saw the game against East Thurrock and I was really impressed,” he said. “I want to show my appreciation to Billericay as I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”