Tyrone Mings suspected he was the subject of a cruel prank when recently called up into the senior England squad.
The Aston Villa defended was drafted into the Three Lions set-up for the first time recently, and was given the news via text message by the national team's player liaison officer.
At first glance, however, the former non-league player did not believe the message to be genuine.
'I thought it was a prank when I first found out,' revealed Mings on his call-up, as report the Mirror.
'I got a text when I came in from training from the England player liaison officer Emily. I texted back saying, 'Oh s**t'. Excuse my language.
'She then called me and said, 'I'm not joking.' It was only when I spoke to her on the phone, I knew it was genuine.
'Obviously I am delighted. It has been a long journey to get to this point. Everyone has their own journey. There are people in the England squad that have come from non-league too.
'It probably makes it a little bit sweeter but every English player's dream is to be called up into the national squad. Hopefully I get a chance to play.'
Mings has worked his way up the football ladder, turning out in non-league with Yate Town and Chippenham Town before moving to Ipswich and the Bournemouth.
Following a loan spell with Aston Villa, the midlands club paid a fee rising to £26.5m during the summer to secure his services full-time.
JohnMc2018
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He could easily start for England in next years Euros, alongside Maguire, AWB and Chilwell that is a solid back line
Sedoso
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He must be good to be unearthed out of the blue by Southgate like this. Haven't seen anything of him myself but I thought Tuanzebe was the star CB for Villa last season, or were they both good.
huiman
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Cheers for the reply Cherry, we have a habit of taking centre back rejects and turning them into Legends, Paul McGrath, Martin Laursen, I'm sure we will do the same here :)
babysoga
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I like this guy, wish Arsenal would have went for him. He looks like a quality defender.
marddia
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Regardless of the club you support a young man of 26 works hard, and gets recognised for his hard work! Tyrone Mings a role model for other young people....well done Tyrone, keep up the good work!
airborne
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Tyrone has not had one or two good games - second half of last season he was consistantly great for Villa and has started ok this season while Villa are finding their feet back in the Prem. Probably will not play but no harm In Southgate taking a look at him In training and maybe bring him on for 10 mins or so to have a look - he Is a good solid centre back , why not !
footb122
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He's a quality player who is much needed in the England defence because right now we have absolute donkeys competing and what is really needed is quality and has been needed for awhile now. Phill Jones got into the England team and Eric dier too yet both of them are really really poor players so why not give mings a try who has been brilliant the last 2 seasons.
Harvedlan
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Well deserved and a great player in the making. He's a a huge club where fans love him and a legend in the making
Barnhart
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So happy for Tyrone, well deserved after his hard work for us. He has come up the leagues gradually and at one time thought his football dream was over. This is why he is always smiling. It is great also that he has John Terry as a mentor, on the pitch JT was one of the best. I hope Ty gets a chance to play rather than warm the bench in the upcoming international games. Good luck to the other new boys too. UTV
sudyblacky
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i knew him the day he clash with zlatan