It has been some few months for Jake Hall. The 24-year-old catapulted himself into the public eye earlier this year when he joined long-running reality show The Only Way is Essex.
While Hall's success on the show has brought him a host of attention, that is far from the end of his story. A man with two clothing companies, Hall reignited his football career when he re-joined Boston United towards the end of last month.
Far from a publicity stunt, Hall played for Dennis Greene's side last season, but departed due to other commitments. The midfielder has since signed a short-term deal with the Conference North side and made his second debut in their key league match against Tamworth on Monday.
Hall did not come off the bench until the latter stages in Lincolnshire, but he scored Boston's second goal with a cool left-footed finish as the hosts ran out 2-0 winners to move into fourth position in the table.
Hall's personal life might have changed dramatically in 2015, but he is fully committed to the Boston cause and has revealed that he hopes to be involved again this weekend when Greene's side make the trip to Stalybridge Celtic.
Here, Sports Mole caught up with the 24-year-old to talk football, TOWIE and fashion.
First of all, have you settled down from yesterday yet?
"It was just mad. That was the maddest day of my life really. I had to pinch myself to say, 'did that really happen?' I know it was only a goal, but my family being there, my mates, Chloe [Lewis] being there.
"I have not really played that much football for a few months but I keep my fitness all the time and my touch was there. I pinged it in with my left foot as well! The cross was a bit behind me, but I just had to get a foot on it and direct it towards the goal.
"I looked round and Chloe and Arg (James Argent) were jumping up and down like lunatics. My mum was jumping up and down as well! I was on the bench thinking, 'they have come all the way down here for me to come on for 10 minutes or whatever,' but within two minutes I had scored so it was worth every second.
"I was sitting on the bench thinking, 'imagine if I came on and scored' and then I was thinking, 'stop thinking like that, you are going to jinx it.' I suppose someone was looking down on me."
Some called your signing 'a publicity stunt' for Boston, but do you feel that you proved a few people wrong on Monday?
"To be honest, me coming on was a risk. I love that club so much, I have played the best I have ever played down at Boston. It seems to be a bit of a lucky club for me and I did not want to let anyone down.
"I was a bit hesitant, but I played with my heart and I knew I would come on and do a job, but I did not expect to come on and sort of seal the deal."
Tell us a little bit about your football career to date, it goes further than Boston doesn't it?
"I signed for Dagenham and Redbridge when I was a youth. I was also on trial at Luton Town for two or three months. I was hoping to get a contract there, but that fell out of place. From there, Boston got in contact and I went there. To be fair my first debut for Boston was unbelievable, but that one topped it by about 10 times.
"Going up there (Boston) three times a week, away games etc. I have got my own clothing company so I was trying to do a million things at once and I just had to concentrate on me for a little bit. If I can help during the playoffs, whether that be coming on as sub, or playing then I would love to do that.
"When I was at Boston before, we nearly got [to the playoffs], but I think this time it will happen. I mean some of the players they have got at Boston are some of the best I have ever played with. There are some serious players in that team. I don't know too many of the new lads, but the likes of Carl Piergianni, Rene Steer, Scott Garner, Liam Marrs and the two boys up front are just banging them in for fun.
"I have wanted to be a footballer since I can remember. It just never worked out, but I love playing and whatever club I am at, I will give them everything I have got."
Will you be involved in the trip to Stalybridge Celtic this weekend?
"I hope so. Potentially. I haven't got anything on so I will speak to the manager and hopefully be involved."
With Boston being such a big club and indeed a former member of the Football League, just how important are the supporters?
"You could tell how big [the club] was yesterday. The crowd was mad, I have been to a lot of non-League games and that topped it. Everyone was just going crazy and that really helps the players. It was amazing. When the crowd is like that, you just want to impress everyone."
What about TOWIE? How have you found it so far?
"My life has completely changed. I was just Jake who had a small clothing brand and I am now on TV. Every single person sort of now knows my life. It is a different feeling, but it is a nice feeling.
"Young kids asking me for pictures etc. it is nice and if you can make people's day then it is worth it. I am just a normal person, it has been a great experience and hopefully people like me!"
And what about the stick that comes with it?
"To be fair I had it on the pitch yesterday! Some people were giving me stick, but that is what comes with being on TV I suppose. It is fine, you just have to brush it off!"
You have also got two clothing brands. How did that side of your life come about?
"I used to model for a big agency, that is what I did before I was trying to make it as a footballer. I met a designer and one thing led to another. I have got two brands, one called Prévu and one called Domingo Rodriguez. I love fashion, I love clothes and I love that side of it.
"I am trying to make the brand as big as I can, but that is the thing with me, I have always tried to do lots of different things."
Finally, what are your hopes for the future?
"I want to make it as big as I can in everything that I do and hopefully I can do well in TOWIE, well with my football and well with my clothing brand. That would be the icing on the cake".
Matt Law
