Morgan Ferrier keen to prove his maturity at Boreham Wood after self-confessed chatterbox burnt bridges at Arsenal and Nottingham Forest

• Morgan Ferrier failed to make the grade at Arsenal and Nottingham Forest
• Ferrier clashed with Liam Brady during a decade spent with the Gunners
• He played in the same junior teams as Isaac Hayden and Chuba Akpom 
• Ferrier told Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to be quiet in training while at Forest
• Striker Ferrier, 21, is looking to rebuild his career with Boreham Wood
• He scored the opener against Notts County a week ago in the FA Cup 

Even self-confessed chatterbox Morgan Ferrier knew he'd gone too far when he took on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at Nottingham Forest, having already been released by Arsenal because of his lip rather than talent.

The Boreham Wood striker, a name to watch out for in Tuesday's FA Cup first round replay against League Two Notts County, went to Forest after being told by academy coach Liam Brady at Arsenal: 'You've got it all as a player but if we gave you a scholarship, you'd take up 80 per cent of our time.'

Instead of taking Brady's message as a warning, Ferrier continued to argue his point with whoever crossed him on a football pitch.

'I was training with the Forest first-team and Andy Reid was giving me stick because he thought I was flash,' he recalls.

'I gave it back and he ran up to me when I had the ball and two-footed me. I was angry, Jimmy was on the coaching staff and came across to say something, and I told him to be quiet. It just went off the rails from there.

'As a striker, it was brilliant to have had Jimmy around but once that happened, he never helped me again. I burnt that bridge. I was only 17 at the time and people said I'd been an idiot because of all the things he's done in the game.'

The tale sums up Ferrier's career so far. The shock of leaving Arsenal after a decade playing in the same junior teams as Isaac Hayden (now Newcastle United) and England Under 21 forward Chuba Akpom, left him unable to settle at a number of clubs including Watford and Crystal Palace.

Last summer proved a watershed however. He consulted friends Britt Assombalonga (Forest) and Dwight Gayle (Newcastle) who had both started in non-league and has scored nine goals for Boreham Wood, including the opener against County a week ago. The dream of being the next Jamie Vardy is still alive.

'I'd been at big team after big team but never left my mark. I was opinionated and people thought I had an attitude,no matter what I did on the pitch,' reflects Ferrier.

'I'd argue with anyone if I thought I was right, even senior players. I had my point of view and it's only as I've got older I've realised you have to control it.

'I spoke to Britt and Dwight, who is from my area (Walthamstow, north London) and they said get down to non-league because you never know what can happen if you start scoring goals.

'I'd never have accepted as a youngster playing National League, I regarded myself as too good. But it is the best decision I've ever made to drop down and showcase my ability.'

The pacy Ferrier will celebrate his 22nd birthday when the replay takes place this week and is now able to reflect properly on why Arsenal binned him.

'I'd been there from six-years-old. It was my dream club and because I was one of the best players in the team, I automatically thought I'd go to the furthest,' he says candidly.

'I'd fly off the rails if we were losing; start moaning and shouting at people. But now I can see it from a coach's point of view. If he's trying to keep 20 lads in check, how do you handle one who thinks he can talk back.

'Imagine a 12-year-old telling Liam Brady "I don't think what you're saying is correct" after what he's achieved.

'People told me to keep my mouth shut and not be distracted but I just carried on. In the end it caught up with me. I was heartbroken to leave. It's taken me a few years to recover.'

He's still remembered at Arsenal for that loveable cockiness though. 'When I moved up to where the first-team trained, I went up to Robin van Persie and asked him for tips,' he smiles.

'Jack Wilshere who was two or three years older never lets me forget that!' Brady also respected Ferrier's talent enough to give him references.

Ironically, Arsenal use Boreham Wood's ground for U23 and Uefa Youth League matches so he still bumps into the occasional familiar face from his past.

Ferrier is optimistic he'll be back in the league at some points with Championship club Huddersfield among the teams to have sent scouts this season.

Another goal against Notts County won't do his prospects any harm, and naturally enough he's confident of getting through.

'I think that was Notts County's strongest team in the first game and they didn' t really show much,' he says. 'Everyone knows we should have won.'