NEW loan signing Tyler Blackwood is determined to help Newport County AFC off the bottom of League Two and make the most of his second chance at a football career, writes Andrew Penman.

Having been rejected by Tottenham Hotspur, Watford and Northampton Town and missed his chance at Barnet the striker ‘gave up’ on football aged 18.

But after 12 months out of the game he tried his luck in America and, after flourishing at the University of Tampa, secured a contract at Queens Park Rangers earlier this year.

“I had given up on football and was working in my dad’s bar and it was the worst year of my life,” said Blackwood.

“All I’ve ever put my time towards is football and when it hits you that it might not happen it is really depressing.

“My dad talked to me about going to the States and at first I didn’t want to go but it’s the best decision of my life.

“It turned my career around and it’s got me here.

“You don’t really know how lucky you are and this second chance has just made me think there is no way I’m going to give up again.

“I want to prove to everybody who didn’t take me or said I wouldn’t make it that they made the wrong decision.

“I’m 24 now and this is the time for me to really start to shine.”

Blackwood is certain he can score the goals to get the Exiles moving up the table, starting at Carlisle United this afternoon.

“I’m not here just to help myself; I want to help Newport because they’ve obviously not had the best of starts to the season,” he said.

““What comes of it for me is a bonus if I do well but I’m not here to try to make Tyler Blackwood’s career; I want to try to help Newport, to score goals and help to pick up points.”

He added: “I’m an all-out attacking player, a striker who likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender, always tries to make something happen and be as positive as I can on the ball.

“Everywhere I’ve gone I’ve scored goals and my aim is always a goal a game.”